USS Mount Whitney began transiting from the Black Sea into the Mediterranean following the conclusion of drills with other NATO partners, in which the Ridge-class amphibious command ship participated, according to the 6th fleet's account on Twitter.

"The U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney...began its southbound transit from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea after concluding maritime operations and exercises alongside NATO allies and partners, Nov. 15. " the tweet said.

BREAKING: The U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship #USSMountWhitney, with embarked SIXTHFLT and @STRIKFORNATO staffs, began its southbound transit from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea after concluding maritime operations and exercises alongside @NATO allies and partners, Nov. 15. pic.twitter.com/9nFplqY1O6

— U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet (@USNavyEurope) November 15, 2021

The statement also indicated that the ship is boarded by a crew from the US Sixth Fleet and the Command of the Strike and Naval Support Forces of NATO (STRIKFORNATO).

Earlier, the US Navy's Sixth Fleet had announced that its flagship, the USS Mount Whitney, was heading to the Black Sea for joint operations with NATO forces.

The Russian Defense Ministry had stated that Russia's armed forces are monitoring the movements of US Navy ships in the Black Sea.

The Kremlin had promised to protect its borders in the face of moves by nations that it said are attempting to "contain" Russia.

After the November 12 talks in Paris, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said stressed that NATO and the US are pursuing aggressive policies against Russia.

Tensions have grown between Russia and NATO recently, due to the latter's increased presence close to the Russian border, which Moscow considers to be a breach of the NATO-Russia Founding Act.

Moscow also expressed its concerns vis-a-vis NATO's increased presence in the Black Sea, noting that the alliance's actions may impede stability in the region, and drive a wedge between regional countries.