Russia marks historic victory over Turkey in East Med

The Russian Foreign Ministry has marked a historic naval victory over the Ottoman that helped pave the way for Greek independence, an apparent rebuke to Turkey during ongoing tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.

A video posted on social media by the Russian Foreign Ministry showed the apparent sinking of Ottoman ships during the Battle of Navarino, which the caption described as “one of the most important prerequisites for Greece's independence”.

The battle in 1827 saw Russia, Great Britain and France inflict significant loses on the Ottoman navy, permanently limiting its influence in the Mediterranean.

“The Russian squadron took the main blow of the enemy and destroyed most of its ships,” the caption said.

Modern Turkey was founded following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. And long-standing tensions with Greece have recently resurfaced over maritime borders after the recent discovery of hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean.

Last week, Turkey redeployed seismic survey ship Oruç Reis to disputed territory, promoting the Greek navy to follow suit, according to reports on Thursday. 

Greece has received the backing of the United States and European Union in the dispute. But Russia has denied reports that it supports Turkey’s actions.

Despite increasing cooperation in recent years, Turkey and Russia remain at odds over a number of regional conflicts, including recent clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh.