Russia sent 15 warships to the Black Sea for a maneuver on Saturday amid escalating tension with Ukraine and the West, DW reports.
The reinforcement comes as Ukraine accuses the Kremlin of a massive buildup of Russian troops on its borders, which Moscow has called a temporary defensive exercise.
The ships passed through the Kerch Strait off the Crimean Peninsula; the navy told the Russian Interfax news agency.
Two more Russian Ropucha-class landing ships from Russia's Northern Fleet, capable of carrying tanks and of delivering armor and troops during coastal assaults, transited the Bosporus on Saturday, Reuters news agency reported.
