The Russians have about twenty ships in the Black Sea for a training mission that began last July 4th. In addition to support vessels, Moscow deployed the "Samum", surface-effect missile launcher, the small Nanuchka III-class missile ship, the "Shtil" and two Tarantul III-class missile corvettes, the R-109 and the R-239.
However, the tension has skyrocketed a few hours ago due to the total number reached by NATO ships in the Black Sea.
According to the Montreux Convention, military ships of nations that do not have direct access to the Black Sea can remain in the area for up to 21 days. According to the Russians, the US frigate USS Taylor violated the Convention earlier this year, exceeding the 11 days limit.
NATO has nine warships in the Black Sea. The Task Force is composed of the class cruiser "Ticonderoga" Aegis USS Vella Gulf (in the photo), the French frigate Surcouf and two SIGINT ships: the French Dupuy de Lome and the Italian Elettra.
Also off the Bulgarian coast is a NATO minesweeper group taking part in the Breeze-2014 naval exercise.
The task force is composed of the Italian patrol vessel ITS Aviere, the ITS Rimini minesweepers and the TCG Akcay of the Turkish navy and the British Royal Navy anti-mine ship Chiddingfold.
According to Ria Novosti news agency, the Russian naval aviation constantly monitors all movements of NATO ships in the Black Sea.
Franco Iacch
(photo: DoD USA)
