The Russian amphibious assault ships "Minsk," "Kaliningrad," and "Korolev" (seen here) pass through Dardanelles Strait on their way toward the Black Sea on Feb. 8, 2022.
The Russian amphibious assault ships "Minsk," "Kaliningrad," and "Korolev" (seen here) pass through Dardanelles Strait on their way toward the Black Sea on Feb. 8, 2022.Burak Akay/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
  • Six Russian amphibious landing ships are sailing into the Black Sea.
  • Russia claims these ships movements are purely for naval exercises to "protect Russian national interests in the world ocean."
  • Despite moving over 130,000 troops to the Ukrainian border, Russia denies plans to invade Ukraine. 

Six Russian amphibious assault ships are sailing into the Black Sea to take part in naval exercises, according to Russia's Ministry of Defense. The move delivers more Russian military power closer to Ukraine as tensions persist.

The Russian ships are moving into the area to "work out the actions of the Navy and Aerospace Forces to protect Russian national interests in the world ocean, as well as to counter military threats to the Russian Federation from sea and ocean directions," Russia's defense ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

Russia previously announced a number of military exercises covering all areas of responsibility for the Russian fleet.

Altogether, Russia's massive military drills, which will span multiple waterways around the world, not just the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, will include over 140 warships and support ships, over 60 aircraft, 1,000 units of unspecified military hardware, and about 10,000 troops, the ministry said.

The Russian landing ships Korolev, Minsk, and Kaliningrad have passed through Dardanelles Strait, and the Pyotr Morgunov, Georgy Pobedonosets, and Olenegorsky Gornyak will pass through on Wednesday.

These military movements come as Russia has already surrounded Ukraine with more than 130,000 troops, along with military hardware and equipment, stirring fears of an invasion.

Some defense experts have suggested that a Russian invasion could involve an amphibious component, striking directly from the sea with a possible landing around Odessa. Some have suggested that Russia could deploy troops away from the main defensive force and block the movement Ukrainian reinforcements. Others, however, see an amphibious assault as unlikely.

The collection of landing ships includes five Ropucha-class ships and one Ivan Gren-class landing ship. These ships can carry around a dozen main battle tanks or wheeled amphibious armored personnel carriers and around 300 troops, though it is unclear if there is any personnel or equipment onboard these vessels.

Despite its military movements around Ukraine, Russia continues to deny any plans to invade or attack its neighbor. 

Read the original article on Business Insider