The incident caused anxiety in Italy earlier this week, the interia.pl website reported, citing Italy’s Ansa news agency.
Russia’s Varyag missile cruiser was spotted in the vicinity of the Italian coast by specialist websites, according to interia.pl.
It then sailed in the direction of the Greek island of Crete, according to interia.pl.
Moscow’s 'aggressive stance’
The Italian navy said the Varyag’s appearance off the Italian coast was “a reflection of the aggressive stance of Moscow, which is sending an increasing number of military vessels to the Mediterranean Sea,” Ansa reported, as cited by interia.pl.
The chief of staff of the Italian navy, Admiral Enrico Credendino, revealed that 18 Russian warships and two submarines were currently operating in the Mediterranean, interia.pl reported.
More Russian warships in Mediterranean than ever
“Never before has there been so many Russian military vessels in the Mediterranean Sea,” he said, as quoted by interia.pl.
Both the Italian authorities and NATO are closely monitoring every Russian military vessel in the region, officials said, according to interia.pl.
These reports came as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continued into its 16th week.
(pm/gs)
Source: interia.pl