“According to the commander of the Estonian Navy, Ivo Värka, in the traditional sense of naval warfare, neither Russia nor Ukraine has dominance in the Black Sea. Source: “European Truth”, ERR Details: He emphasized that neither the Russian Federation nor Ukraine dominates the Black Sea in the traditional sense of naval warfare.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
According to the commander of the Estonian Navy, Ivo Värka, in the traditional sense of naval warfare, neither Russia nor Ukraine has dominance in the Black Sea.
Source: “European Truth”, ERR
Details: He emphasized that neither the Russian Federation nor Ukraine dominates the Black Sea in the traditional sense of naval warfare.
“Today, the entire Black Sea can be considered in this sense as a disputed maritime area, where both sides actually have a certain degree of freedom of action. And this freedom of action is obviously greater near the coast. Where both sides have their own anti-aircraft defenses, sea mines, support from on the part of various weapons systems from the shore,” Vyark said.
He added that ships usually go to sea only for specific actions, but neither side is taking excessive risks.
Värk noted that both sides use gas drilling rigs in the Black Sea: “They provide a good opportunity for both sides to place reconnaissance equipment there and then monitor the maritime situation from there. However, it is known that they are not permanently in the hands of either side, that is, they pass from hand to hand.”
The commander was asked if the Ukrainians had made a revolution in the field of naval drones, because the Ukrainian army allegedly managed to shoot down a Russian helicopter with the help of a naval drone.
“Ground attack drones have indeed become an important tool for Ukraine, but their image and perhaps their usefulness may be somewhat overestimated in the eyes of the public,” Vyark replied.
“Ukraine itself says that they use naval drones precisely because they have no other means, they have nothing to oppose the Russian Black Sea Fleet,” he added.
He noted that out of 17 large Russian warships, only six were damaged by Ukrainian drones.
Vyark acknowledged that the marine environment is difficult for drones.
“When it comes to drones in general, drone technology and counter-drone measures at sea are also developing at breakneck speed. However, many experts also believe that drone technology is likely to be complementary, i.e. to traditional means and capabilities of naval warfare .
In other words, it will certainly help to improve situational awareness and strengthen intelligence activities, but there will be nothing to replace modern submarines, surface ships, missiles, mines and similar means,” said the commander.
British intelligence in November called the massive use of unmanned aerial vehicles a key event that changed the nature of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The department also noted that Ukraine’s successful actions against the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation led to the destruction of about a quarter of its large vessels, including the flagship, and forced it to enter the eastern part of the water area.