Photographs taken during the passing of Russian Ropucha class BSF Azov 151 and BF Minsk 127 warships of the Russian navy through the strait of Istanbul, shows military personnel on board standing guard with arms.
The ships were on their way back to the Black Sea from the Mediterranean coast off Syria's Latakia province.
According to international law, none of the soldiers on board should use arms or take position with arms. However, this was the second time Russian soldiers were in ready position as a ship passed through the strait.
Russian provocation in Bosporus strait
A Russian warship staged a provocative activity while passing Istanbul's Bosporus Strait en route Mediterranean Sea. “Caesar Kunikov," a Ropuch-1 class amphibious assault ship from the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet passed the Istanbul Strait in a provocative way. Video: Video: Russian provocation in Istanbul's Bosporus strait A Russian soldier was seen carrying an air missile on his shoulder on board during the passing period. This was the first time when soldiers were in ready position during a ship passing through a strait. An anti-aircraft was also seen on board in ready position. Meanwhile, three NATO warships also anchored in Istanbul. The tension between Russia and Turkey, a NATO member country, started to increase after Turkey shot down a Russian Su-24 warplane with a Turkish F-16 fighter jet upon its violation of Turkish airspace on Nov. 24. NATO considers the incident a violation of NATO airspace by Russian military and announced its support to Turkey.Meanwhile, as a response of increasing Russian military presence in the Mediterranean Sea, NATO member countries have also sent a huge number of warships and military personnel to the area. At least 13 countries, excluding Turkey and Syria, have already sent their warships with some other countries expected to send theirs soon.
The Russian military faced criticism from Turkey as well as other NATO members for staging the same sort of provocation on December 6, last year.
Turkish Coast Guard Units guided the ships while they were passing Turkish water line. Russian ships reportedly failed to inform Turkish authorities of their destinations.
Video: Russian provocation in Istanbul's Bosporus strait
A Russian warship staged a provocative activity while passing Istanbul's Bosporus Strait en route Mediterranean Sea.A Russian soldier was seen carrying an air missile on his shoulder on board during the passing period. This was the first time when soldiers were in ready position during a ship passing through a strait. An anti-aircraft was also seen on board in ready position.