22.04.2010
Text:
Photo: Valery Podiachy.
"Historically, only one fleet has been always based in Sevastopol. That's why further combined deployment of Russian Black Sea Fleet and Ukrainian Navy is impossible in principle", say Valery Podiachy and Svyatoslav Kompaniyets in their letter to
Rosbalt.
In the long view, Ukrainian Navy should be withdrawn or transferred under operational command of BSF, they added.
The public figures pointed out in joint statement that de facto it had been officially confirmed in Kharkov that Russian Black Sea Fleet would be deployed in Sevastopol for ever. "New Ukrainian leaders clearly realize that Russia's military presence in Crimea is the only security guarantees for Ukraine", says the statement.
This step of the two presidents adequately expresses opinion of Sevastopol residents; the poll conducted in the Hero City on June 26, 1994 showed that 89% of inhabitants consider the city as the main naval base of Russian Black Sea Fleet, says the letter.
"Russia is rapidly getting over the world economic crisis. Russian force deployed in Sevastopol will be enlarged within the framework of reformation and re-equipment programs; that was also said at the meeting between the presidents. According to previous treaty of BSF deployment, number of BSF warships can be increased up to 100 (presently only 34) and manpower – up to 25,000 servicemen", says the document.
We recall that on Apr 21 Russia and Ukraine signed the agreement providing prolongation of Black Sea Fleet deployment at Ukrainian territory for the term of 25 years (till 2042) with potential extension for 5 years unless one of the parties declares secession.
Beginning from 2017, annual lease payment for deployment of Russian fleet in Ukraine will be increased up to $100 mln.
