US warning to Russia by deploying ‘Amphibious Assault Ship’ in Black Sea

Washington/Moscow – There are signs of the tensions brewing between the United States and Russia, festering further since the last few months. Russia is strongly opposed to the joint war exercises held by the United States, Ukraine and the NATO members and Russia started aggressive moves. The United States has deployed an Amphibious Assault Ship in the Black Sea region to counter this Russian aggression. Joint naval exercises ‘Sea Breeze 2021’, between Ukraine and 30 NATO members, have been started since the end of June. Thirty warships and 40 fighter jets along with 5,000 soldiers are participating in the exercises. Russia has expressed strong resentment over the exercises being held while there is tension reigning between Russia and the western countries over various issues. The accusation that these joint war exercises by Ukraine, the United States and NATO is an open incitement for Russia.

Against this background, the deployment of the USNS Yuma by the Sixth Fleet of the US Navy becomes significant. This ship has a launchpad for helicopters and has independent space to store military vehicles. It is possible to deploy a unit of US marines in any part with this ship, which is a part of the Military Sealift Command. Therefore, this ship becomes extremely important for an independent military mission.

While the US Amphibious Assault Ship is entering the Black Sea, it has been revealed that Russia has despatched its bombers to this region. The Russian defence department informed that the Russian TU-22M3 bombers hovered in the Black Sea airspace. The defence department said that the SU-30M2 fighter jets also were accompanying the bombers. At the same time, it has also been reported that Russia has recalled two of its warships from the Mediterranean Sea region to the Black Sea region. These include destroyer Admiral Essen and missile cruiser Moskva.

Meanwhile, the Russian National Defence Control Centre claimed that a US P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft of the US navy was intercepted by Russian fighter jets. The United States has not confirmed the report.