WhatsApp banner image

Ukraine’s most important developments, straight to your WhatsApp.

FOLLOW
News Feed

UK Defense Ministry: Russia's Black Sea Fleet doubles down on defense

• 1 min read

Russia's Black Sea Fleet has doubled down on defensive and reactive measures since suffering setbacks in recent months, the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote on Oct. 14.

Ukraine has gained initiative in the northwest Black Sea since June, launching unmanned surface vessels, unmanned air vehicles, and missile attacks, along with special operations against the Black Sea Fleet.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet has mostly continued to train, maintain, and defend itself while also continuing to launch missiles into Ukraine, which "it can almost certainly continue to do so from the eastern (region of the) Black Sea," the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote.

However, "there is only a realistic possibility" of the Black Sea Fleet using its firepower superiority to seize the initiative in the western region of the Black Sea.

Additionally, the risk of further military losses and political consequences "likely outweigh any gain" from the Russian Black Sea fleet attempting to enforce a blockade of Ukrainian-bound trade.

Avatar
The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

Read more
News Feed
 (Updated:  )

Russia continued its relentless drone attacks on Kyiv on Sept. 25, striking a 16-story residential building in the central Pecherskyi district overnight, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring seven people.

 (Updated:  )

Ahead of the U.S.-China summit, President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Sept. 22 that he hoped Trump would encourage Xi to use his influence with Russian President Vladimir Putin to move the peace process forward.

Show More