Russian Black Sea Fleet Officers Rush Families Out of Crimea. Here’s What We Know

Families of senior officers from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet have reportedly begun leaving occupied Crimea in large numbers, according to a statement by the Ukrainian partisan movement ATESH, published via its official Telegram channel on April 19.

Citing their underground sources, ATESH claims that nearly all families of high-ranking Black Sea Fleet personnel have already departed from the peninsula.

The movement attributes this to a reported internal directive issued in early April, instructing Russian forces to implement heightened security measures at military facilities across Crimea.

“In the units of the Black Sea Fleet, there is noticeable panic,” ATESH stated. According to the group, the directive included specific orders to increase protective measures around military infrastructure. In response, Sevastopol’s naval bays are reportedly being patrolled covertly by reservists from the BARS unit dressed in civilian clothing.

Additional measures mentioned in the statement include a strengthening of perimeter security and attempts to conceal military equipment. All personnel leaves and weekend breaks for stationed forces have also been suspended, ATESH noted.

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The movement further speculates that these actions may signal preparations to comply with Ukraine’s demand to terminate the agreement allowing the Russian Black Sea Fleet to remain in Sevastopol.

Earlier, Atesh partisans conducted a sabotage operation in occupied Melitopol, setting fire to a relay cabinet and disrupting Russian military logistics. According to the group, the strike targeted a key supply route for ammunition and equipment heading to frontline areas near Robotyne and Kamianske.