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Ukraine States Zero Combat-Ready Russian Warships Left in Occupied Crimea
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![Amira_barkhush]( "Photo of Amira Barkhush")
The number of Russian Black Sea Fleet ships remaining in temporarily occupied Crimea is known, but according to Ukraine’s Navy, none of them are combat-ready, Ukrinform reported, citing Navy spokesperson, Captain 3rd Rank Dmytro Pletenchuk.
“The number is known—it’s quite difficult to hide such large objects to the point where they can’t be counted,” said Pletenchuk. “But the remaining vessels from the combat fleet are either currently not combat-ready or undergoing major repairs—repairs we sometimes help 'modernize' with airstrikes. The rest belong to the fleet’s auxiliary forces. These are non-combat ships and don’t pose any significant threat.”
Pletenchuk also confirmed that the ships still stationed in Sevastopol Bay are being constantly relocated by Russian forces, a tactic aimed at reducing the chances of being targeted by Ukrainian defense forces.
He added that Russia continues to build new vessels in Crimea, but for now, “it’s not worth wasting expensive munitions on them.”
As for the presence of Russian warships in the Black and Azov Seas, Pletenchuk said the situation remains stable, with no active combat ships in either area. However, the Black Sea continues to be used by Russia to launch Shahed drones.
Despite lacking a traditional navy, Ukraine has managed to cripple Russia’s dominance in the Black Sea through innovation and asymmetric warfare. Instead of warships, Ukraine deployed drones and precision-guided missiles.
On April 8, Vice Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa, commander of the Ukrainian Navy, stated Ukraine has established dominance in the Black Sea, preventing Russian forces from approaching its shores and ensuring civilian shipping routes.
