Challenging Russia’s naval superiority also has helped create more favourable conditions for Ukrainian grain exports and other shipments from the country’s Black Sea ports.
Moscow officials have not acknowledged most of the Ukrainian claims, but previous navy losses have been confirmed by Russian military bloggers and media who have harshly criticised the military brass for its slow and sloppy response to the threat.
Successful strikes have embarrassed the Kremlin, and on Tuesday Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to appoint Adm. Alexander Moiseyev as the new navy chief, the Russian Defence Ministry said.
Ukraine’s success in destabilising Russia’s navy has prompted retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges to suggest that Kyiv is now setting the groundwork for a siege of Crimea.
Commenting on the Russian vessels’s departure from the area, Hodges said: “Why aren’t they fighting like crazy in the Black Sea to regain control over the water that they’ve lost? Because they can’t.”
