Strikes against naval vessels, the fleet headquarters, and other sites have displaced much of the Russian naval forces out of Russian-occupied Crimea, to the eastern port at Novorossiysk in Krasnodar Krai, with no signs of them returning. Ukraine achieved this feat without having its own navy, which is a sign of a strategic win against a blue water naval power. Ukrainian strikes in 2023 were especially effective in forcing the Black Sea Fleet reconsider its base of operation. Between September and December of 2023, Ukrainian drones and precision-guided missile attacks destroyed more than 20% of the Black Sea Fleet. This demonstrated the vulnerability of these vessels and their homeports. Pletenchuk said that even though the Russian Navy had largely withdrawn its forces from the Crimean ports, Russian submarines and aviation still attempted to provide security for the ports. RBC reported. Russian aviation regularly patrols the waters around Crimea, while submarines run security.Additionally, Pletenchuk noted that intelligence does not indicate that the Black Sea Fleet Headquarters are being rebuilt after a Ukrainian strike on 22 September 2023.According to the Navy’s spokesperson, “…it doesn’t necessarily indicate any plans for a return to Crimea. Right now, there’s nothing to suggest the Russians are holding out hope for this.”However, Pletenchuk noted the Russian Black Sea Fleet, although battered and weary, still poses a threat.He stated, “The enemy continues to avoid the Sea of Azov, and their fleet, what could be deemed combat-ready, remains based in Novorossiysk.”Related:
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