**Ukrainian Navy Defends Strategic Corridors**
The Ukrainian Naval Forces have been successful in securing maritime corridors for grain exports. In 2024, they carried out dozens of attacks on Russian military targets in occupied Crimea and other areas.
**Russia Targets Ukraine’s Infrastructure**
Despite these efforts, Russia continues to attack residential areas and civilian infrastructure with missiles and drones. Since October 2022, it has targeted Ukraine’s energy facilities to disrupt daily life, especially during the winter months.
**Ukraine Strikes Back**
However, Ukraine received over 6,000 long-range strike drones in 2024. These were used against Russian oil refineries and ammunition depots. The Ukrainian Naval Forces also conducted extensive reconnaissance efforts, with aircraft flying nearly 700 hours and identifying around 400 Russian targets.
**Disrupting Russian Operations**
The Naval Forces severely disrupted Russian operations at the Sevastopol naval base, forcing them to relocate warships to Novorossiysk. They also restricted Russian naval maneuverability in the Sea of Azov, pushing their vessels back to bases in Russia’s Krasnodar region.
**Economic Benefits**
The secure operation of the maritime corridor allowed for the export of millions of tons of Ukrainian grain, benefiting the national economy and global food security.
**Priorities for 2025**
For next year, the priorities include improving personnel training to protect lives, locating and neutralizing enemy targets, and further degrading Russia’s military potential.