Ukraine-Russia Confrontations: Ukrainian navy on high alert amid tensions with Russia

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Europe

02:29

And western media says the US Navy will deploy a warship to the Black Sea, amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The tensions began with Russia seizing three Ukrainian navy vessels and 24 crew members last month. As CGTN's Stephanie Freid reports, Ukraine's navy and military are on high alert, and the country's navy commander warns Russia of its continued provocations.

Odessa's navy headquarters are on the frontline of Ukraine's stand-off with Russia. If Ukraine is attacked by water, this will be a point of entry. Which is why the Ukrainian government is doing its utmost to secure the country's shores and interior and rally support from NATO member states.

STEPHANIE FREID ODESSA, UKRAINE "Ukraine implemented martial law. The military's carrying out widespread drills. But the bottom line is, when it comes to number of personnel and vessels, there is no match between Russia and Ukraine."

Ukraine's naval commander told CGTN Russia's navy outnumbers Ukraine's by eleven to one both in personnel-power and vessels. On Wednesday, Ukraine successfully test fired its Neptune anti-ship missile, the 280-kilometer range system will be mass produced within a year

IHOR VORONCHENKO ADMIRAL OF UKRAINIAN NAVY "Neptune will be the coastal rocket system. It's a defense system that guarantees we can hit enemies from the coast and defend our shoreline."

Ukraine's government wants NATO member states to deploy vessels to surrounding waters to help defend the country. US State Department reports indicate the United States Navy is getting ready to deploy a warship to the Black Sea. Ukraine's naval commander warns: Russia's aspirations go beyond Ukraine.

IHOR VORONCHENKO ADMIRAL OF UKRAINIAN NAVY "The octopus spread its tentacles across the globe. If (Putin) doesn't prove himself a victorious tsar to his people, he'll lose support and that will mean the end, the collapse of his empire."

If the U.S. deploys a warship to the Black Sea, the already highly charged situation will intensify further. Stephanie Freid, CGTN, Odessa, Ukraine.