Deployment of US-Russian warships increased tension in Black Sea region

Moscow/Washington: – Russian navy has started war exercises in the Black Sea region with the advanced warship, Admiral Makarov. Following the deployment of a third US warship in the Black Sea sector, the Russian warship’s deployment and war exercises are adding to the tension in the region. Meanwhile, Russia has already activated the air defence systems in Crimea, in response to the US warships’ deployment. Besides Russia, the Black Sea region is surrounded by NATO countries Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria and NATO supporter countries Ukraine and Georgia. In order to reassure these member countries, NATO deployed a US warship, support destroyer USNS Laramie. The Russian navy was closely monitoring the deployment of the warship. But on 23rd of January, another US warship, USS Donald Cook, reached this sector in the last week. Following USS Donald Cook’s deployment, equipped with a missile defence system, Russia too activated the air defence systems in Crimea. Russia deployed mobile launchers on the coast of Crimea. This created tension in the Black Sea region. Analysts pointed out that the US warship was deployed within three days of President Biden taking over the reins of the United States.

Within a week of this deployment, photographs of another US destroyer, USS Porter, heading for the Black Sea region, crossing the Turkish Bosporus Gulf, have been published. NATO and the United States justified the deployment of this warship equipped with the advanced Aegis ballistic missile system. The United States is committed to the security of NATO members and other partner countries and the stability in the sector. The commander of this ship, Thomas Ralston, reacted that this warship’s deployment becomes important for this. Whereas, NATO has said that the Black Sea sector is very important to NATO from a strategic perspective. Also, Russia has illegally separated Crimea from Ukraine. The Russian military movements in this sector also have increased. NATO announced that therefore, the NATO ally has increased the region’s deployment, for the security of NATO members and other allies. Following the NATO announcement, Russia despatched Admiral Makarov to the Black Sea sector. Russia has already clarified that it was monitoring the movements of the US warships.

Black Sea sector has always been a cause of tension between the United States and Russia. Earlier, when the Russian navy had intercepted the Ukrainian patrol vessels, the United States had sent its destroyer in the concerned marine region. Last year, when two B-52 bombers of the United States had patrolled in the Black Sea sector, Russia had despatched its fighter jets to the region.