US DESTROYER races to Russia-dominated Black Sea to ‘ensure security and stability’

A GUIDED-MISSILE destroyer raced to “ensure stability” in the tense Black Sea region as Russia continues to menace its neighbours.

By Anders Anglesey /

The USS Carney docked un Ukraine’s main port of Odessa to reassure allies who feel threatened by Russian supremo Vladimir Putin.

A US Navy spokesman said: “Our return to Ukraine demonstrates a shared commitment to promote security and stability within the region, while seeking opportunities to enhance interoperability with partners in the Black Sea.”

Washington has ordered several destroyers and drills in the region following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, in 2014.

The US Navy vessel sailed right under Vlad's nose GETTY

DESTROYER: The US Navy vessel sailed right under Vlad's nose

Russian Army has been flexing its muscles by staging massive military exercises

 
A huge military exercise has be staged in the Kamchatka region of far eastern Russian, where more than 1,000 Russian infantrymen from the National Guard of the Russian Federation took part in drills and training.
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Special Forces units of Russian Southern Military District hold exercises in Krasnodar Territory TASS
Special Forces units of Russian Southern Military District hold exercises in Krasnodar Territory

    “Our return to Ukraine demonstrates a shared commitment to promote security and stability within the region”

    US Navy spokesman

    Ukraine viewed the move as a hostile takeover of their territory and has since been fighting a bloody war with Russia-backed separatists in the country’s east, which has seen thousands killed.

    Moscow has since hit out at the US Navy and accused the vessel and other warships of carrying out a mission aimed at “putting Russia out of temper”.

    Franz Klinstevich, the first deputy of the country’s Committee for Defence and Security, added: “But why does the US need all this? It’s almost impossible to make Russian-American relations worse.”

    Tensions between the US and Russia plunged to new lows after Putin ordered a full-scale war simulation in preparation for battle against NATO.

    Navy helicopter undertakes 'flare firing' exercise

     
    A type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon, patrols the Eastern Mediterranean, as the ship's Mk8 Lynx helicopter undertakes a 'flare firing' of all of its sixty infrared countermeasure flares as part of a day into night flying exercise.
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    This amazing photo shows HMS Dragon and the chopper set against a spectacular sunset [PA]
    This amazing photo shows HMS Dragon and the chopper set against a spectacular sunset [PA]

      Vlad is has been accused of planning huge land grabs in Eastern Europe GETTY

      SCHEMER: Vlad is has been accused of planning huge land grabs in Eastern Europe

      NATO members in Eastern Europe fear Kremlin bosses are planning to restore the Soviet Union’s old borders.

      Estonia Defence Forces commander Riho Terras said Vlad’s war games could lead to a large number of troops being mobilised at extremely short notice.

      The drills were said to involve 12,700 military personnel, according to Russia’s defence ministry.