08.07.2014
The number of NATO ships in the waters of the Black Sea today is larger than it was during the days of the Soviet Union. Even during the war with Georgia in 2008, the Alliance and the U.S. did not send so many cruisers, frigates, patrol and reconnaissance vessels to the Black Sea. Today, there are nine of them, but Russian defense officials say that there is nothing to fear. In case of aggression against the Russian Federation, nine NATO ships will be able to stay afloat for a few minutes only.
"In the Black Sea basin, there is Vella Gulf cruiser of the U.S. Navy, French frigate Surcouf, two reconnaissance boats of France and Italy, Dupuy de Lome, and reconnaissance boat of the Italian Navy Elettra," a source said. In addition, an Italian patrol ship, Italian and Turkish minesweepers and a British anti-mine defense ship take part in NATO exercises as well.
In accordance with the Montreux Convention from 1936, warships of non-Black Sea countries may stay in the waters of the Black Sea for 21 days. Noteworthy, during Maidan riots in Ukraine and after the closing of the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, diplomats and military officials noted that the U.S. and NATO violated the convention in terms of tonnage and the time of presence of warships in the waters of the Black Sea.
Interestingly enough, the Black Sea Fleet of Russia completed the deployment of vessels in the Black Sea for naval exercises as well.
...
"The NATO navy poses no real threat. This is a form of pressure on the Russian Federation, a way to support Ukraine and comfort ... junior partners of NATO," a senior officer of the Russian defense ministry told politonline.ru. "The vessels that are now staying in the waters of the Black Sea, would not be able to cause significant damage either to Russia's Black Sea Fleet, or to the territory of Russia, even if they wanted to. In case of aggression against Russia, they would live for five or ten minutes, but no one needs a nuclear strike that may follow," the officer said.
FULL ARTICLE
english.pravda.ru/russia/politics/08-07-2014/127997-nato_ships_russia-0/http://english.pravda.ru/russia/politics/08-07-2014/127997-nato_ships_russia-0/
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TOYKO ROSE
Sounds like US-NATO are flexing muscle in Russia's backyard.
More pressure to bear.
Russia's squaring up with the exercises.
Mention of a 'nuclear strike' doesn't sound like Russia's too concerned.
Ummm, I'm kind of feeling queasy. LOL.
