Ocean Grand delivers former U.S. Coast Guard vessels to Ukraine amidst mobilization of Russian-aligned forces

Two former U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats, Fastov and Sumy, arrived in the port of Odessa from the United States onboard the M/V Ocean Grand on November 23. The boats will be involved in ensuring Ukraine's maritime security in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov (New York Post/ZUMAPRESS.com).

After transiting the Dardanelles Strait in late November, the heavy-lift ship M/V Ocean Grand delivered two refitted former U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats to Ukraine November 23, shortly before Americans celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday and days after Ukraine expressed concern that Russia may be preparing to attack.

The delivery of the Coast Guard patrol boats to Ukraine was covered by Reuters and reporting on the situation has been published by the New York Post, Yahoo News and other media outlets.

Ukraine, the U.S. and NATO have said the buildup of troops indicates that Russia is preparing to invade - claims the Kremlin has denied as misinformation, according to a report published by the Post.

In a public statement, Ukraine's ministry of defense cited exercises and mobilizations "increasing the combat readiness of the Russian occupation forces in the temporarily occupied territory in Donetsk and Luhansk regions."

According to a Reuters report, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence told the Military Times Russia had more than 92,000 troops massed around Ukraine's borders and was preparing for an attack by the end of January or beginning of February.

U.S. officials told Reuters the intentions of Russia's president are unclear, with none of the Americans saying they anticipate an imminent attack, according to the New York Post.

On November 22, the State Department expressed concern about Russian troop movements in the region, the Post reported. "We're concerned knowing that, of course, we can't speak to the intentions of the Russian Federation, but we are concerned because we are familiar with the playbook that Moscow has used in the past," State Department Spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

The modified patrol boats are elements of more than $2.5 billion in military assistance Ukraine has received from the U.S. since Russia illegally annexed the province of Crimea in 2014, igniting a war that has claimed more than 14,000 lives, the Post reported.

The Ukrainian navy announced the former Coast Guard vessels had arrived in the Black Sea port of Odessa, the Post reported. "We appreciate the contribution of the United States to deter the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine," said Ukrainian naval commander Oleksiy Neyizhpapa.

American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers aboard the Ocean Grand, which is operated by Crowley in the Maritime Security Program fleet.