Two warships of Russia’s Black Sea fleet joined the country’s Mediterranean task force on Monday, May 20, a spokesman for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Capt. First Rank Vyacheslav Trukhachyov, has said, according to RIA Novosti

The Defense Ministry said in April Russia has begun setting up a naval task force in the Mediterranean, sending several warships from the Pacific Fleet to the region.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier a permanent naval task force in the Mediterranean was needed to defend Russia’s interests in the region.

"During a planned rotation, large landing ships Nikolai Filchenkov and Azov from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet have started performing their tasks in the Mediterranean,” Trukhachyov said.

According to Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov, head of the parliamentary defense committee, the Mediterranean task force should be comprised of 10 warships and support vessels as part of several tactical groups tasked with attack, antisubmarine warfare and minesweeping.

The Soviet Union maintained its 5th Mediterranean Squadron from 1967 until 1992. It was formed to counter the U.S. Navy's 6th Fleet during the Cold War, and consisted of 30-50 warships and auxiliary vessels.