Admiral of the Fleet Viktor Chirkov made the announcement and was quoted by Russia Today as saying that „the task is crystal clear: to avoid a slightest threat to the security of the state,“ and adding:

„This is a general practice of all fleets around the world, to be there when a tension level increases. They are all going to act on operational command plan of the offshore maritime zone. Russia will be building up its Mediterranean fleet until it is deemed sufficient to perform the task set.“