U.S. Sends Warships To Black Sea, Russia Issues Threat: Better Stay Away

Illustration of Russian soldiers on the border with Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons/Mstyslav Chernov)

JAKARTA - Russian authorities on Tuesday warned the United States to ensure its warships are away from Crimea for their own good. Russia sees the United States' stance as a provocation that tests Russia.

The statement was issued in line with the escalation of ukraine's eastern fighting between government forces, and Russian-backed rebels. Meanwhile, two United States warships will arrive in the Black Sea this week.

America and Western countries have criticized Russia's buildup of military power in eastern Ukraine and Crimea. Meanwhile, Russia calls its right to mobilize troops as desired, including for defense.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by Russian news agencies on Tuesday as reminding United States warships in the Black Sea to keep their distance, saying the risk of unspecified incidents was very high.

'There's absolutely nothing an American ship can do near our shores, it's purely a provocative act. Provocative in the sense of direct words, they test our strength, toying with our nerves. They're not going to make it," he told Reuters on Tuesday, April 13.

"We warned the United States that it would be better for them to stay away from Crimea and our Black Sea coast. It's for their own good," he continued.

Separately, the United States through the Pentagon declined to discuss the deployment of the ship. However, they say the United States military routinely sends ships to the region.

For the record, the Russian Black Sea Fleet is based in Crimea. The fleet is supported by powerful missile and radar facilities on the peninsula.