As of 6 o’clock this morning, not a single Russian warship was spotted in the Black Sea or the Sea of Azov, according to a statement from the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The sudden disappearance of enemy ships from these strategic waters comes as Ukraine’s naval drone capabilities continue to improve and Moscow’s fleet grows increasingly vulnerable.
While the Black Sea was clear, the Ukrainian Navy confirmed the presence of three Russian vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. One of these ships is armed with up to eight Kalibr cruise missiles, part of the Russian Federation’s long range strike capabilities.
The Navy also reported that ten vessels transited the Kerch Strait into the Black Sea, with five of them continuing on towards the Bosphorus Strait. Four ships entered the Sea of Azov, including three that had come from the Bosphorus area. These vessel movements are being closely monitored as Russia shifts naval assets away from Ukrainian-controlled zones.
Ukrainian naval officials highlighted ongoing violations of international maritime law by the aggressor state. Specifically, the Russian Navy is accused of turning off automatic identification systems on its ships, breaching the 1974 SOLAS Convention. This reckless behaviour threatens the safety of civilian vessels and undermines global maritime security.
Yevhen Yerin, a representative of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence (HUR), previously noted that the Black Sea is no longer a safe haven for the Russian fleet. Ukraine’s increasing use of unmanned sea drones like the Magura has dramatically shifted naval dynamics. These drones have proven effective in pushing back enemy ships, and their capabilities are still evolving.
