Russia to boost navy in Mediterranean

SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Russia's plan to increase its navy in the Mediterranean is aimed at protecting energy supply routes and is not a combat escalation, Russian Navy leaders said.

"The Mediterranean is an important theater of operations for the Russian Black Sea Fleet," said Adm. Vladimir Masorin. "We must restore a permanent presence of the Russian Navy in this region."

A reinforced Russian presence is key to protecting crucial energy supply routes through the Blue Stream gas pipeline and the proposed Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, Masorin said, calling for increased cooperation with Ukraine, where most of the Black Sea Fleet is based, and Turkey, an important regional leader, Novosti reported Saturday.

Russia has a lease on the navy base in Sevastopol in the Ukraine until 2017, with the possibility of an extension. Russia also has begun construction of a naval base in the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk in Russia.

Igor Dygalo, an aide to Masorin, said Russia does not plan to group combat ships in the Mediterranean, as it did during the Cold War.

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