Challenging Russia’s naval superiority has helped create more favourable conditions for Ukrainian grain exports and other shipments from the country’s Black Sea ports.
Moscow officials have not addressed most of Ukraine’s 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.
Last month, Russian media reported that the navy chief, Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov, had been fired and replaced with Adm. Alexander Moiseyev, the commander of Russia’s Northern Fleet.
The Kremlin hasn’t yet announced the reshuffle, but in mid-March Moiseyev was presented as the new acting navy chief during a ceremony at a Russian naval base.
