Russia is trying to expand its military presence not only in Ukraine but also in other regions. This is explained by hostile ships in the Mediterranean Sea, including missile carriers, says a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy Dmytro Pletenchuk.
"We should not forget that there is also a rather complex geopolitical situation there. We should not forget that the Russian Federation sees geopolitical competitors not only in Ukraine. Therefore, they, of course, are trying to spread their military presence in other regions where they have interests that are currently in Africa and elsewhere, including supporting the Assad regime in Syria. Therefore, they are trying to do everything to support a similar regime," he said.
He also mentioned the factors determining the number of Russian ships in the Mediterranean Sea.
"Usually, these can be rotations - the simultaneous presence of several units. In general, they have a permanent naval operational connection there, so they have been present there for many years. What tasks they perform - there is a different story. What is important for us is that this story is not related to the Black Sea. If earlier, the occupiers could still carry out operations through the Turkish straits, the so-called Syrian Express, now it does not work like that. And now, to support this grouping, they have to go around the entire Europe, which is more than 9,000 km, and it is quite challenging," Pletenchuk added.
Russian ships
As for the situation with Russian ships in the seas as of Sunday, April 21, according to the Ukrainian Navy, there are no enemy ships in the Black and Azov Seas. In the Mediterranean Sea, there are 7 enemy ships, including 3 Kalibr missile carriers with a total salvo of up to 20 missiles.
Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned that after effective operations by Ukrainian forces in Crimea, Russia decided to relocate its ships, including missile carriers, from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea.
Earlier, Pletenchuk talked about an interesting incident with Russian ships near the Bosporus Strait in the Black Sea. Russian ships were forced to move along the territory of the Republic of Türkiye, "effectively hiding in its territorial waters."
