Russia reportedly adds to military muscle in Black Sea region amid US tensions

Russia continued to ramp up its military presence in the Black Sea over the weekend as two more warships and 15 smaller vessels moved to the waterway amid heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow. 

The two Russian ships, capable of carrying tanks and armored vehicles as well as troops for coastal assault traveled through the Bosphorus Strait in Turkey on Saturday, Reuters reported. More naval reinforcements – including landing ships from the Baltic fleet – are expected to arrive at the Black Sea in the coming days to support the thousands of troops and armored vehicles already in position near Russia’s eastern border with Ukraine.