“Ukraine: Russia’s Last Naval Patrol Ship Exiting Crimea”, “Ukraine’s navy reported on Monday (July 15) that Russia’s final naval patrol ship departed from Russian-occupied Crimea, a move likely prompted by Kyiv’s ongoing military operations aimed at reclaiming the Black Sea peninsula amidst the Russian invasion.”
“Despite lacking major warships, Ukraine has effectively utilized missiles and naval drones to inflict considerable damage on the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The fleet has historically been based in Sevastopol, a peninsula seized by Moscow in 2014.”
“Vice-Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, Ukraine’s navy chief, informed Reuters earlier this month that Russia had relocated nearly all of its combat-ready warships from occupied Crimea due to Ukraine’s military actions.”
“The last patrol ship of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation is bolting from our Crimea just now. Remember this day,” Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk said on Facebook.
Asked to clarify whether this was a permanent move, Pletenchuk told Reuters: “Most likely, this is a transition between bases”, adding that Moscow did not usually send ships to the open sea for no reason. This suggests that while the patrol ship is leaving Crimea, it may not be a permanent relocation but rather a strategic repositioning of Russian naval assets in response to ongoing military developments in the region.
Russian authorities have not responded to requests for comment regarding Ukrainian claims of advances in the Black Sea in the past. This lack of response underscores the tense and potentially sensitive nature of the military situation in the region.
“Kyiv has destroyed or damaged 27 Russian naval vessels, Neizhpapa said. In May, Ukrainian authorities announced the destruction of the last Russian warship armed with cruise missiles that was stationed on the peninsula.”
