The United States is increasing its military presence in the Black Sea

Pentagon officials say the United States is trying to "reduce the susceptibility" of Russia to the US military presence in the region.

Photo: wikipedia, public domain

The US Navy is building up its presence in the Black Sea as part of efforts to counter Russia's enhanced presence in this area, a spokesman for the US military said.

Russia is strengthening its armed forces in this region after the seizure of the Ukrainian Crimea in 2014, with which the overwhelming majority of the international community did not agree.

On Saturday, the Karni missile destroyer joined the Ross destroyer in the Black Sea to "carry out maritime security operations," the US Navy's 6 fleet, which is responsible for naval operations in the region, said in a statement.

The situation when there are two US Navy ships in the Black Sea was the first time since July 2017.

“Our decision to send two ships at once to work in the Black Sea is proactive, not reciprocal,” said Vice-Admiral Christopher Grady, commander of the 6 fleet.

“We independently determine the pace and timing of our work in this strategically important region,” said Grady. “The permanent presence of the US Navy in the Black Sea demonstrates our firm commitment to regional stability, security at sea of ​​our partners in the Black Sea, and the collective defense of our NATO allies.”

On Sunday, Russia announced the direction of their ships in the region. The Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying that the Russian frigate Admiral Essen and two patrol ships entered the Black Sea to conduct exercises.

A Pentagon spokesman told CNN that the decision to send the destroyers Karni and Ross to the Black Sea was part of an effort to "reduce the susceptibility of Russia" to the presence of American forces in the Black Sea, located between Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Western Asia.

Two US military officials based in Europe told CNN that Moscow is particularly susceptible to US military operations in the Black Sea, given its recent steps to militarize the Crimea.

Representatives of the United States and NATO in recent years accused Moscow of deploying a large military contingent and a large amount of military equipment in Crimea.

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