As of early Thursday morning, Ukrainian naval officials have confirmed that there are no Russian warships currently operating in the Black and Azov Seas. This update, provided by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and reported by UNN, comes as a modest reassurance to coastal regions but underlines a shifting maritime threat.
While the absence of Russian vessels in the Black and Azov Seas is significant, attention is now focused on the Mediterranean Sea, where three Russian warships have been identified. Among them, one ship is armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, reportedly capable of launching up to eight missiles in a single salvo.
In addition to surveillance reports, it was noted that six vessels linked to the Russian Federation passed through the Kerch Strait within the last 24 hours. Three moved towards the Black Sea, with one continuing towards the Bosporus, while the other three entered the Sea of Azov. One of these ships also came from the Bosporus Strait, highlighting ongoing movements despite the Black Sea being reportedly clear of Russian combat presence.
The Ukrainian Navy has issued a strong condemnation of Russian maritime practices, particularly the disabling of automatic identification systems on vessels. This action, in violation of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, undermines maritime safety and contradicts international standards for open navigation.
A spokesperson for Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, Yevhen Yerin, reaffirmed that the Black Sea has become increasingly dangerous for Russian forces due to intensified Ukrainian operations. This includes the continued development of the domestically produced Magura sea drones, which have been made more effective through recent enhancements. The Ukrainian Navy’s technological advantage is believed to have contributed to the withdrawal of Russian forces from these regional waters.
