Annexing Crimea, Russia has given not only the future of the black sea fleet, but also got opportunities to gain influence in the Mediterranean, writes American magazine.

When the Crimea was from Ukraine, the Russian black sea fleet was limited and the fleet was " condemned to rot ", according to the publication.

"By 2010, the black sea fleet no new vessels were added for 25 years and turned into a bunch of Museum pieces," said Mikhail Barabanov, the expert of the Moscow Center for analysis of strategies and technologies.- Ukraine persistently tried to squeeze out Russian troops from Sebastopol or reduce their presence."

currently, the Russian defense Ministry wants to rejuvenate the black sea fleet, handing him four diesel-electric submarines, six frigates, six patrol ships and More than nine corvettes. In General, By 2020, the Navy will receive, which will not only patrol the Black sea, but will join the Mediterranean squadron.

"The civil war in the Syrian Arab Republic, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the struggle of the Islamic movements in the region Is for the Russian Federation in the sphere of strategic interest, and in the Navy she sees a way to influence the situation in the region ", - said Dmitry Gorenburg, a specialist of the American Center for naval analysis, CNA.

"This gives a signal to other countries in the region that the Russian Federation is again a significant force and contributes to potential contracts for the purchase of Russian weapons by countries such as Egypt and Algeria," added the Gorenburg.

sections: Politics