Trouble brewing in the Black Sea and Kerch Strait

UKRAINE NAVAL VESSELS HEADING FOR KERCH STRAIT

HalTurner,

21 February, 2019

News out of Ukraine this afternoon says a number of Ukrainian Naval Vessels have just departed their port headed for the Kerch Strait.

They have not contacted Russia for permission to pass through the strait and they are doing this just ONE DAY after a US Navy task force headed by the USS Donald Cook entered the Black Sea.

If the Ukrainians attempt to pass through the Kerch Strait without first filing for permission with Russia, their naval vessels WILL be intercepted by Russian Coast Guard ships (again.)

The last time Ukraine tried this, they refused to yield to Russian Coast Guard ships and ultimately FIRED UPON those Russian ships, after which they were swiftly defeated. The crews were arrested and the ships impounded.

THIS TIME, the Ukrainians are apparently undertaking this trip because elements of the United States Navy - A task Force headed by the USS Donald Cook, entered the Black Sea yesterday.

If the Donald Cook and its task force try to defend the Ukrainian vessels, THEY TOO may come under Russian fire. Of course, the Donald Cook would return fire.

All this is happening (quite coincidentally) with severe developments in Venezuela (another Russian ally) and military action there may kick off this weekend.

It looks quite plain to many observers that the US is intentionally provoking Russia into open, direct combat.