The visits of US Navy ships to the Black Sea are becoming a demonstration of NATO's strength, flag and ability for a military conflict with Moscow. Igor Korotchenko, the editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, told REN TV about this on November 3, commenting on the data that the third US warship is heading to the Black Sea.
Earlier it became known that the third American ship is heading towards the Black Sea. The supply vessel USNS John Lenthall with the tail number T-AO-189 passed through the strait from the Aegean Sea. According to Korotchenko, the ship should provide fuel to American ships, and, if necessary, ships of NATO member countries.
"Let me remind you that the flagship command ship of the Sixth Fleet of the US Navy is currently heading to the Black Sea. There is also one of the American destroyers — carriers of high-precision sea-based cruise missiles," the expert noted.
The arrival of the supply ship takes place as part of ensuring the presence of other US Navy ships in the Black Sea, he explained.
According to Korotchenko, the political and military leadership of the United States consider the Black Sea as an area of confrontation with Russia. This is a kind of pressure on the Russian Federation and the "designation of support for Ukraine."
"Although, according to the Montreux Convention, any warship of countries that do not have access to the Black Sea cannot stay there longer than 21 days. Nevertheless, by constantly ratifying their combat, reconnaissance, command ships, NATO and the United States thereby support military activities and designate Russia as the main military enemy," he continued.
However, any warships in the Black Sea region are under the supervision of the relevant Russian structures. They can be resisted by the anti-ship complexes "Bal" and "Bastion", the expert pointed out.
On November 1, the flagship of the US Navy USS Mount Whitney appeared in the region. In the Black Sea, he will join the destroyer Porter to conduct operations with alliance allies. From Mount Whitney, you can control the entire Sixth Fleet of the United States, as well as coordinate groups of NATO ships.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting in Sochi on defense issues that the American ship can be seen through binoculars or the sight of defense equipment. Moscow will respond to attempts to break strategic parity adequately to the situation, he added.
The President drew attention to the fact that currently foreign partners are deploying elements of global missile defense in close proximity to the borders of Russia.
On October 31, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that the demonstration of the US Navy flag in the Black Sea does not add stability to the world. At the same time, he said that Russia is ready to reliably ensure security in the region and is ready for any threats.
