NATO ships will sink in ten
minutes should they attack Russia
July, 8, 2014, Pravda
The number of NATO
ships in the waters of the Black Sea today is larger than it was during the days
of the Soviet Union. Even during the war with Georgia in 2008, the Alliance and
the U.S. did not send so many cruisers, frigates, patrol and reconnaissance
vessels to the Black Sea. Today, there are nine of them, but Russian defense
officials say that there is nothing to fear. In case of aggression against the
Russian Federation, nine NATO ships will be able to stay afloat for a few
minutes only.
"In the Black Sea basin, there is Vella Gulf cruiser of
the U.S. Navy, French frigate Surcouf, two reconnaissance boats of France and
Italy, Dupuy de Lome, and reconnaissance boat of the Italian Navy Elettra," a
source said. In addition, an Italian patrol ship, Italian and Turkish
minesweepers and a British anti-mine defense ship take part in NATO exercises as
well.
In accordance with the Montreux Convention from 1936, warships of
non-Black Sea countries may stay in the waters of the Black Sea for 21 days.
Noteworthy, during Maidan riots in Ukraine and after the closing of the 2014
Olympics in Sochi, diplomats and military officials noted that the U.S. and NATO
violated the convention in terms of tonnage and the time of presence of warships
in the waters of the Black Sea.
Interestingly enough, the Black Sea Fleet
of Russia completed the deployment of vessels in the Black Sea for naval
exercises as well. It was said that the drills would take place on the territory
of the entire Black Sea. Warships fire missiles, and aircraft practice massive
target bombings; the units of coastal missile and artillery troops operate as
well to practice the destruction of enemy fleets and landings from mainland.
Officials with the Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation said that
the goal of the drills is to "defend sea communications and deployment areas,"
including, missile launches, launches of cruise missiles, bombardment of complex
target positions and missile launches by coastal defense systems.
NATO
Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow has recently stated that in light of
the Ukrainian crisis, NATO declared Russia an adversary, rather than a partner.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen acknowledged recently that Russia
"fights smarter and faster than NATO." He added that even in case of
peacekeeping or military intervention of Russia in Ukraine, NATO will not fight
with Russia.
"The NATO navy poses no real threat. This is a form of
pressure on the Russian Federation, a way to support Ukraine and comfort ...
junior partners of NATO," a senior officer of the Russian defense ministry told
politonline.ru. "The vessels that are now staying in the waters of the Black
Sea, would not be able to cause significant damage either to Russia's Black Sea
Fleet, or to the territory of Russia, even if they wanted to. In case of
aggression against Russia, they would live for five or ten minutes, but no one
needs a nuclear strike that may follow," the officer said.
The official
also said that the imitation of the attack of the Russian bomber Su-24 on USS
Donald Cook produced a "demoralizing effect" on the crew. Foreign media reported
that "27 sailors of the U.S. Navy destroyer Donald Cook wrote reports of
resignation, while military psychologists had to work with others who
stayed."
It was also reported that "Russian sailors involved in
large-scale maneuvers in the Black Sea, will monitor the activities of NATO
ships.