Mediterranean, Ionian Sea, March 17, 2022 -  From SOT: Ukraine sits atop the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean lies next to the south through the Bosporus Strait that passes through Istanbul in Turkey.  Russia seeks to position itself as the dominant influencer in the Mediterranean and Middle East by its annexation of Crimea, war on Ukraine, and conquest of the Ukrainian port cities of Mariupol and Odesa.  If successful, the security and dependability of that Mediterranean access will be wholly dependent on the Bosporus Strait.  Logically,  Putin and Russia will need to secure total control over that geographic to guarantee this.  

In this photo an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to the "Dragonslayers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11, a Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopter, attached to the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R 91) and two NHIndustries NH90 helicopters, attached to the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (C 550), fly over the Ionian Sea as the Charles de Gaulle(R 91), the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and the ITS Cavour (C 550) transit the Ionian Sea in formation, Mar. 17, 2022. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S., allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa.  Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabriela Chambers