Ukrainian capability to threaten Novorossiysk port would represent further challenge for Black Sea Fleet, says
Any demonstration of Ukraine's ability to threaten Novorossiysk will be a challenge for the Russian Federation, according to British intelligence (Photo:Wikipedia)
Any demonstration of a Ukrainian capability to threaten Russia’s Novorossiysk port would highly likely represent a further strategic challenge for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet (BSF), the UK’s Defense Intelligence said in an update on Ukraine on Nov. 22.
“It would also further undermine Russia’s already reduced maritime influence in the Black Sea,” the report reads.
The UK’s Ministry of Defense reiterated that on Nov. 18, multiple Russian and Ukrainian media outlets reported that an attack took place at an oil terminal in Novorossiysk port on Russia’s Black Sea coast. A major base of Russia’s BSF is close to the oil terminal.
According to the Defense Intelligence, the BSF relocated many of its submarine operations to Novorossiysk after its Sevastopol base in occupied Crimea was struck by Ukraine over the summer.
“Russian commanders will likely be concerned about threats to the Novorossiysk-based amphibious landing ship flotilla,” the report says.
“These vessels are relatively vulnerable without escorts and have assumed a more important role in supplying Russian forces in Ukraine since the Kerch Bridge was damaged in October.”
At the same time, full details of this incident are yet to emerge, the intelligence said.
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