US to keep two Navy ships near Sochi 'on standby' in case of possible terror attack

The United States will reportedly station two Navy ships in the Black Sea near the resort of Sochi, the venue for the 2014 Winter Olympics, on standby in case of a possible terrorist attack.

Despite spending over 30 billion pounds on the Winter Olympics, much of it on security, fears of a terrorist attack remain high in southern Russia following the two suicide bombings in the city of Volgograd in December, which killed 34 and injured over 100 people.

According to the Daily Star, a Pentagon spokesman said that air and naval assets, including two Navy ships in the Black Sea, will be available if requested for all manner of contingencies in support of - and in consolation with - the Russian government.

The report mentioned that the US mainly intend to use the vessels to evacuate their countrymen in the case of a terror attack at the Sochi Games, adding that the country is also exploring the possibility of stationing helicopters and other transport aircraft nearby.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has frequently insisted the two-week event will pass off without incident, with roughly 40,000 police officers to be on hand at Sochi along with fighter jet squadrons and surface-to-air missile batteries, the report added.