Russian Navy on Tuesday practiced destroying enemy targets on the Black Sea keeping a close watch on two US Navy warships in the same area. The Black Sea Fleet reported that its ships will practice destroying enemy targets and that air defence systems are on alert at Novorossiysk and in Crimea.
“They destroyed airborne targets of a mock enemy with anti-aircraft missile weapons and artillery,” it said in a statement.
USS Mount Whitney has reached Istanbul and is expected to join forces with other ships in the Black Sea soon, according to the US Navy. “Following this port visit, Mount Whitney will join USS Porter (DDG 78) in the Black Sea to further enhance collaboration between US and NATO forces at sea,” a statement from the US Navy stated.
Russia had earlier warned Western nations against sending warships to the Black Sea and nearing the coast of Crimea. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and considers it as part of its territory. However, Crimea is widely recognized as being part of Ukraine.
