Turkey steps up Black Sea naval activity as war rages in Ukraine
Turkey is extending its grip in the Black Sea, sending drilling ships and carrying out war games.
ISTANBUL — As war rages in Ukraine, to the south Turkey has been busy extending its grip in the Black Sea, stepping up exploration of natural gas resources and holding naval exercises.
Earlier this month, Ankara dispatched the last of its three drilling ships — the Fatih, Kanuni and Yavuz — to the Sakarya gas field, which lies 185 kilometers (115 miles) north of the port of Zonguldak.
The deployment is the latest stage in Turkey’s bid to harness 540 billion cubic meters of gas discovered two years ago, potentially loosening its reliance on gas from Russia.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan oversaw the final day of the Mavi Vatan, or Blue Homeland, exercise in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black seas. The naval maneuvers saw 122 surface ships, 41 aircraft and 12,000 personnel take part in coordinated operations over 10 days.
