Ukraine's naval edge: Driving Russian forces out of Black Sea
The Ukrainian naval forces, along with other units of the armed forces, have managed to deprive Russia of dominance in the Black Sea by using the R-360 Neptune missile system, unmanned kamikaze ships, and Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, reported Ukrainian Navy Commander Oleksiy Neizhpapa on Thursday.
"In general, this is the fruitful work of the entire Ukrainian Defence Forces. The first successful experience was the use of the Neptune missile system. Later, during a joint Navy and SBU operation, we utilised maritime kamikaze drones that entered Sevastopol Bay," Neizhpapa said in an interview with ArmyInform.
The Vice Admiral also highlighted joint operations with the air forces of the Armed Forces, utilising the French-British air-to-surface cruise missiles Storm Shadow/SCALP EG.
It is worth emphasising the strikes by our Air Forces using missiles from our partners, Storm Shadow/SCALP. This is quite effective, multi-stage joint work involving absolutely all Ukrainian Defence Forces, which initially disabled the Russian navy's ability to operate in the western part of the Black Sea, and then forced them to retreat from the bays of occupied Sevastopol to Novorossiysk. We have also made the Sea of Azov dangerous for maneuvers," Neizhpapa stated.
Strikes on gas platforms
According to earlier reports, the navy conducted drone attacks on occupied gas platforms near Crimea; surveillance systems on the platforms were destroyed.
"We cannot allow the enemy to have maritime awareness; we cannot allow them to monitor our civilian or warships and have a general understanding of the situation. We are working on destroying these towers not only with our maritime drones but also with other types of weapons," he declared.
The Vice Admiral noted that the navy is aware that the enemy left special forces on the platforms, but they have logistics only through air supply involving helicopters. "We will continue to work on such towers in the future," Neizhpapa emphasised.
