Russia has increased its military presence in the Black Sea, deploying a fleet of 15 warships, including five armed with Kalibr cruise missiles capable of launching a combined strike of up to 34 missiles. This move, announced by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, comes as part of a continued campaign of intimidation by the Kremlin against Ukraine and international maritime norms.
According to Ukrainian naval reports, there are currently no Russian warships in the Azov Sea. However, in the Mediterranean, an additional three Russian vessels are present, one of which is also equipped with Kalibr missiles, with the potential to fire up to eight at once.
The deployment was accompanied by increased ship movements through the Kerch Strait. Eight ships crossed into the Black Sea, with seven proceeding toward the Bosphorus Strait. Two entered the Sea of Azov, with one continuing its journey from the Bosphorus. The Ukrainian Navy has accused Russia of deliberately disabling automatic identification systems on these vessels, violating the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) of 1974. These actions endanger global navigation and flout international law.
Military activity on land remains intense, with 140 reported combat engagements in a single day, and the enemy conducting 78 air strikes across Ukraine. Russia’s ongoing aggression and disregard for maritime law reflect its broader pattern of hostility and lawlessness.
