By Smartencyclopedia with agencies
During an interview aboard the USS Arleigh Burke, Cmdr. Peter C. Flynn, a U.S. Navy commander, stated that there has been no significant change in the behavior of Russian aircraft and warships towards Western naval and air assets in the eastern Mediterranean.
Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, Flynn noted that Russian forces have been conducting themselves professionally, similar to other military forces in the region, and there have been no signs of increased aggression or hostility.
The USS Arleigh Burke, a highly capable destroyer, is currently docked at the main port in Limassol, Cyprus. Russia maintains a naval base in Tartus, Syria, which is the only facility of its kind outside the former Soviet Union.
Moscow and the Syrian President reached an agreement in 2017 that allows Russia to extend its lease on Tartus for 49 years and station up to 11 warships there, including nuclear-powered vessels.
Tartus, which is approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) away from Cyprus’ eastern coastline, is the location of Russia’s naval base in Syria.
In June 2021, Russian warplanes showed interest in the F-35 jets from the U.K.’s HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, which were operating off the coast of Cyprus. The Russian aircraft attempted to monitor the advanced warplanes.
The USS Arleigh Burke, currently docked in Cyprus, is on a 4½-month patrol mission in the region. Prior to its arrival in Cyprus, the destroyer operated in the Red Sea, passed through the Suez Canal, and conducted operations in the Arctic Circle, the Baltic and North Seas, and the eastern Atlantic since February.
Cmdr. Flynn emphasized the significance of the Eastern Mediterranean for maritime security, considering its historical importance.
Notably, the Arleigh Burke was the last U.S. Navy ship to sail in the Black Sea before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Flynn highlighted that the Arleigh Burke possesses the most capable offensive and defensive systems among U.S. ships, making it highly capable in various scenarios.
The destroyer recently engaged in joint maneuvers with Saudi and Egyptian naval vessels, aiming to strengthen ties with friendly nations while projecting U.S. power.
Source: with agencies