The prolonged war between Russia and Ukraine has severely hampered Russia’s naval capabilities in the Black Sea as the conflict enters its second year.
The toll on Russia’s maritime assets, in close proximity to the Ukrainian coast, has been considerable, with reports suggesting the loss of up to 25 out of approximately 80 naval vessels deployed by Russia during the early stages of the 2022 invasion.
Captain 3rd rank Dmytro Pletenchuk disclosed in televised remarks that 35 of these vessels posed a “real threat” to Ukraine. 25 units have been destroyed, and 15 are currently undergoing repairs.
They offer Russia long-range strike capabilities and supporting operations around the annexed Crimean peninsula and southern Ukraine.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the Black Sea has become a pivotal battleground, with Ukraine expressing its resolve to reclaim Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014.
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Ukraine’s successful efforts in targeting Russia’s Black Sea fleet have proven more fruitful than attempts to roll back Russian control in other regions.
Pletenchuk said: “The Black Sea Fleet has been [in a poor state] for quite a while: apart from Kalibr cruise missile carriers, they can’t use anything against Ukraine. I can say that the Black Sea Fleet operations have been greatly complicated, if not paralysed.”
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps revealed in late December that Russia had lost 20 percent of its Black Sea fleet in the preceding four months.
Ukraine has celebrated significant victories, including the destruction of a Russian Kilo-class submarine, damage to landing ships like the Minsk, Saratov, and Olenegorsky Gornyak, and the sinking of Russia’s Black Sea flagship, the Moskva.
Recent successes include the destruction of a Russian missile-armed corvette, the Ivanovets, by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency using MAGURA V5 surface drones.
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Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, confirmed the vessel sustained direct hits before sinking, valuing it at up to £70 million.
Facing these setbacks, the Kremlin has relocated some Black Sea assets from Crimea to the Novorossiysk base in Russia’s Krasnodar region.
There are also indications that Russia is establishing another Black Sea base in Abkhazia, a breakaway region recognized as part of Georgia, further distancing its resources from Ukraine’s reach.
Despite lacking a robust navy, Ukraine has effectively utilised unmanned vehicles and Western-provided missiles.
In a show of support, the UK and Norway have pledged to donate mine-clearing vessels, raiding craft, and amphibious vehicles to Ukraine, aiding in the transformation of its navy and aligning it with NATO standards.
