Tense situation in Sevastopol awaits homecoming of Ukraine’s flagship Hetman Sahaidachny (UPDATE)

A
Ukrainian defense ministry statement earlier today said that as of 8 a.m. the
nation’s flagship vessel had passed through the Dardanalles Strait in Turkey.
It was accompanied by the Turkish pleasure craft Rusen Bey. 

Citing
Boiko, TVi reported that all of the ship’s crew swore allegiance to Ukraine. Meanwhile
Ukrainian ships Ternopil and Slavutych are reportedly boxed in Sevastopol by
four Russian Navy vessels while Russian forces maintain a tight stranglehold on
the Crimean peninsula after invading it on Feb. 27. According to Global Firepower,
Ukraine has 21 warships and one submarine. 

The
news contradicted local media reports that stated the Sahaidachny was being
escorted by American or NATO battleships or other vessels. 

In
a telephone interview with the Kyiv Post, the U.S. Department of Defense would
not comment on future ship movements, but confirmed that the USS Taylor, a
frigate, was in Turkey for repairs. It ran aground on Feb. 13 and entered the
Black Sea on Feb. 4 on a pre-scheduled deployment to the region after terrorist
groups threatened to disrupt the Olympic Games in Sochi, the resort town on
Russia’s Black Sea Coast.

Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sahaidachny is returning home after taking part in European Union and NATO counter-piracy operations.

“The
U.S. does on a normal and routine basis operate ships in the Black Sea consistent
with the Montreux Convention and international law,” the U.S. Defense Department
stated. 

NATO media relations officer Matthias Eichenlaub said that “there are currently no ships under NATO command in the Black Sea.” 

Additionally, the Pentagon has said there has been no change to U.S. military posture in Europe or the Mediterranean Sea. 

“Our Navy units continue to conduct routine, previously planned operations and exercises with allies and partners in the region,” said Pentagon press secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby. 

However, the U.S. Defense Department has “put on hold” military-to-military activities with Russia, Kirby said, adding that the suspended activities include exercises, bilateral meetings, port visits and planning conferences. 

The
Ukrainian frigate is returning after completing counter-piracy operations with
NATO’s Operation Shield and European Union Naval Force. It joined the EU Naval
Force on Jan. 3 after first deploying with the NATO operation. 

Kyiv Post editor Mark Rachkevych can be
reached at rachkevych@kyivpost.com.