WATCH USS Fort McHenry Claiming to 'Advance Black Sea Security' Cross Bosphorus

12:23 GMT, 7 January 2019

US 6th Fleet Commander Lisa Franchetti announced that the American landing ship had been sent to the Black Sea region to enhance security and to reaffirm US commitment to "strong relationships with NATO allies".

Sputnik

Russian TV channel Zvezda has published a video depicting the landing ship USS Fort McHenry entering the Black Sea via the Bosphorus. The ship can be seen passing under a bridge late at night.

Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry announced that patrol ship Pytlivy from Russia's Black Sea Fleet has been monitoring the USS Fort McHenry's actions since January 6 at 9:00 p.m. Moscow time (18:00 GMT).

Buque USS Fort McHenry (archivo) (VIDEO)

The Commander of the US 6th Fleet, Vice Admiral Lisa M. Franchetti said that the vessel's transfer to the Black Sea shows Washington's commitment to security in the area and to maintaining "strong relationships with NATO allies".

In December, US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker said that Washington should consider the possibility of increasing its presence in the Black Sea.