Advance in the Black Sea: Ukraine recaptures ports with innovative tactics

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The Ukrainian counter-offensive is slowly getting underway. Successes were achieved especially in the Black Sea. This is surprising since the Ukrainian Navy was not considered a major fighting force at the beginning of the Russian invasion.

Ukraine sank its flagship without further ado so that the ship would not fall into the hands of the Russian forces. In Odessa, port operations had been halted because the enemy warships could be spotted from a great distance. The balance of power seemed clearly divided.

But now the turning point: Using innovative naval drones and missiles that target Russian ships in their home base, Ukraine has largely undermined Russia’s vast maritime advantage, writes the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Russian ships no longer venture into the northwestern part of the Black Sea.

Submarine and landing ship inactivated

“To ensure our security now and in the future, we must start defending our coasts from the enemy’s coasts,” Ukrainian Navy Commander Oleksiy Neyishpapa said in an interview. He and his people now want to gradually implement this approach. Nejischpapa expects great success from the drones in particular.

Last week, the Ukrainian navy succeeded in attacking the Russian home ports of Sevastopol and Novorossiysk. The missile attack on a dry dock in Sevastopol destroyed a large Russian submarine and a large landing ship that Russia planned to deploy in Odessa. Novorossiysk is considered an important gateway for oil exports. Russian air defense systems were destroyed on the west coast of Crimea.

The battle for the Black Sea has entered a new phase since July, when Russia terminated an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export food using ships inspected by Russia. Ukraine responded with naval drones.

The air force provides extra impetus

Several types of long-range missiles also offer new offensive capabilities, military experts say. In addition to the navy, the Ukrainian air force and special intelligence units are also involved in Kiev’s reconquest of the Black Sea.

Nejishpapa said his forces had no interest in interfering with civilian shipping. However, he added that the 1994 San Remo Convention on International Law Relating to Naval Warfare allows his forces to target merchant ships seen as supporting Russian military actions.

One-way corridor to and from Odessa

After the deal collapsed, the Ukrainian military announced a one-way corridor to and from Odessa in August. Six ships have already been able to leave the port in recent days. According to WSJ analysts, Ukraine’s potential to attack Russian ports has made this development possible.

“It is clear that the Russians no longer have the initiative in the Black Sea, as the Ukrainian Navy and Ukrainian special operations forces are pursuing a downright ingenious concept,” said Michael Petersen, founder and director of the US Navy’s Russia Maritime Studies Institute . War College. These tactical successes are beginning to form into a larger strategy, Petersen explains.

Russia is currently in a vulnerable situation. Because Turkey controls the strait between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea and will close the passage for belligerent ships in February 2022, Russia cannot replenish its losses there with ships from another fleet. (An)

Source: Blick