The Russian Black Sea Fleet can no longer impact the war in Ukraine, said Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk on a national TV, RBK-Ukraine reported on October 14.
Pletenchuk explained that while the readiness and size of the Russian fleet might seem significant, it is now incapable of altering the course of the war in Ukraine.
“Intelligence colleagues could provide a more detailed assessment, but regardless of their fleet’s preparedness and numbers, it no longer has the capacity to influence the situation on the battlefield,” Pletenchuk said.
He noted that while Russia could potentially relocate some vessels via internal waterways, it hasn’t done so and is struggling to maintain operational capacity of the ships remaining in the Black Sea, which he described as “effectively paralyzed” in the Azov-Black Sea region.
“They are also unable to send ships from other waters, such as the Mediterranean, to this area,” Pletenchuk said.
The spokesperson noted that the weakness of Russia’s navy is evident in the ongoing war, despite Moscow’s self-perception as a “major naval power.”
Technologically, Pletenchuk adds, Russia falls far behind NATO countries.
Earlier, Russia canceled its first naval exercises in the Black Sea in two years amid Ukrainian attacks, reported British intelligence.
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