Preparing for Ukraine Invasion?… US Deploys Warship in the Mediterranean

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered the Navy aircraft carrier strike group to remain in the Mediterranean rather than the Middle East. This move is interpreted as the U.S. preparing for potential conflict amid concerns of a Russian invasion as Russia has increased tens of thousands of troops near the Ukraine border.

On the 28th (local time), according to the Associated Press and others, a U.S. Department of Defense official stated that the presence of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and its accompanying five warships in the Mediterranean reflects the Department of Defense's persistent surveillance and heightened alertness toward Europe.

The DoD official, who requested anonymity citing lack of authority to disclose detailed military deployment operations, explained that the deployment of the U.S. aircraft carrier and warships to the Mediterranean is a necessary measure to reassure U.S. allies and partners in the European region.

The United States and Western allies have been watching Russia deploy up to 100,000 troops near the Ukraine border, raising concerns that the Russian government is preparing to invade Ukraine.

In 2014, Russia forcibly invaded and annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula shortly after increasing support for pro-Russian separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.

The industrial hub of Donbas in eastern Ukraine has been devastated by a seven-year civil war with Russian-backed rebels, resulting in over 14,000 deaths.

Russia denies plans to invade Ukraine and has accused Ukraine of planning military operations to retake areas controlled by Russian-supported separatists.

The five U.S. carrier strike group vessels waiting in the Mediterranean include the USS San Jacinto, the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole, USS Bainbridge, USS Gravely, and USS Jason Dunham. They are also accompanied by the Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen.

The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier departed Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia on the 1st and entered the Mediterranean on the 14th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.