Prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia’s leadership almost certainly perceived the Russian Federation Navy and the Black Sea Fleet as integral components of their maritime power.
However, as noted by British military analysts of the UK Ministry of Defense, after three years of war, Russia’s naval capabilities in the Black Sea have been significantly constrained through highly effective Ukrainian operations.
Pre-invasion, the Ukrainian Navy was vastly outnumbered by the Black Sea Fleet and limited to a small number of major warships and coastal defense vessels. Throughout the war, the Ukrainian Navy has been unable to operate conventionally in the Black Sea.
Since 24 February 2022, however, Ukrainian forces have destroyed or damaged at least 24 Russian vessels operating in the Black Sea. This includes the sinking of the Black Sea Fleet flagship, Slava-Class cruiser ”Moskva”, which had previously been described as a cutting-edge air defense platform.
As a result, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has been forced to move all of its major assets from its historic base in Sevastopol to Novorossiysk in the Eastern Black Sea. Russian units operating in the region have also been forced to adapt their tactics and change the areas in which they operate.
Despite Russia’s Black Sea Fleet currently being limited to the Eastern Black Sea, it retains the ability to conduct long range strikes into Ukraine in support of land operations.
Related:
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- Ukraine destroys 7 Russian vehicles near strategic hub Velyka Novosilka as UK intel confirms offensive
- UK intel: Russia continues to cut citizens off from independent media reporting on Ukraine
- UK intel: Russian forces repelled at Chasiv Yar, but advancing in Toretsk through urban warfare
- Russia switches to larger but rarer strikes on Ukraine, UK Intel says
