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Six Russian Warships Heading to Black Sea for Drills


Tue 08 Feb 2022 | 04:31 PM
Ahmad El-Assasy

Six Russian warships are en route from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea for naval training, according to the Interfax news agency, in what Russia's Defense Ministry described as a pre-planned movement of military resources.

Russia's navy stated last month that in January and February, it will conduct a series of drills involving all of its fleets, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, in the latest show of force in a spike of military activity during a stalemate with the West over Ukraine.

Turkish reports say the six ships will sail through Turkey's straits on their way to the Black Sea on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Korolev, Minsk, and Kaliningrad are scheduled to sail through the Bosphorus on Tuesday, while the Pyotr Morgunov, Georgy Pobedonosets, and Olenegorsky Gornyak are scheduled to pass through on Wednesday.

Near the Ukrainian border, Russia has collected more than 100,000 troops. It denies any intention of invading, but demands broad security guarantees, including no missile deployments near its borders, a reduction in NATO military facilities, and a prohibition on Ukraine joining the alliance.

If Russia takes military action against Ukraine, NATO member Turkey has the legal authority to close the straits to transit traffic.

"In times of war or when it is threatened by attack, Turkey has the authority to seal the straits to all foreign warships. It is also permitted to deny transit to merchant ships from countries at war with Turkey "Yoruk Isik, a geopolitical analyst in Istanbul, agreed.

Turkey, which shares a Black Sea maritime border with both Ukraine and Russia, has declared that any military conflict is unthinkable and that any invasion by Moscow would be irresponsible.

President Tayyip Erdogan, on the other hand, has volunteered to arbitrate in the dispute between Moscow and Kyiv. Ankara enjoys friendly relations with both countries, yet Erdogan claims that in the event of a Russian invasion, Ankara will do what is necessary as a NATO member.

French President Emmanuel Macron said after talks in the Kremlin on Monday with Russia's Vladimir Putin that the coming days would be crucial in the standoff over Ukraine. Putin suggested some progress had been made in the talks.