Russian military expert: NATO supports Ukraine's non-existent fleet

NATO warships enter the Black Sea. Photo: Public domain

The Ukrainian missile ship Priluki and the British ship Echo conducted training in the Black Sea, the press service of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

"During the joint training, the Ukrainian and British missile ships completed tactical maneuvers, air defense exercises, as well as conducted communications training according to NATO standards," the Ukrainian General Staff said on Facebook.

“Each visit of NATO ships to Odessa is an opportunity to gain more knowledge and improve interaction skills with our foreign colleagues. It should be noted that such exercises are another step towards strengthening cooperation and increasing the level of compatibility between the two countries’ fleets,” the General Staff added.

Director of the MGIMO Center for Military-Political Studies, Doctor of History Alexei Podberezkin commented on this situation.

“In recent years, NATO has increased its activity, mainly with ships from countries located in the Black Sea. That is Bulgaria, Romania. But not only that. Ships from Nordic countries such as Denmark, Norway and the UK started to go there. Basically, they provide a kind of political support for the defunct Ukrainian fleet and demonstrate their military presence there,”Mr. Podberezkin said.

According to him, such actions are very dangerous. "Such a military presence can sometimes be very dangerous, when ships such as US missile destroyers equipped with high-precision cruise missiles are involved. These means, present in the Black Sea and at the same time in the Baltic Sea, create absolutely provocative situations," said Alexei Podberezkin.

The Doctor of History also emphasized: In principle, such a presence in the Black Sea is a strategic orientation that the West uses ostentatiously to counter Russia, creating a high level of tension.