Ukrainian naval drones and strikes against the Russian Black Sea Fleet are effectively reshaping the world’s perception of modern naval warfare. Following Ukraine’s operations, major navies can no longer feel invulnerable, even at their own bases.
This view was expressed on “Ihor Dolhov’s Program” by Captain 2nd Rank Andrii Ryzhenko, former deputy chief of staff of the Ukrainian Navy.
According to him, at the start of its full-scale invasion, Russia expected to quickly establish control over the Black Sea and land troops on the Ukrainian coast. “Sea mines and the ‘Neptune’ system thwarted the Russian Federation’s plans for an amphibious landing near Odesa,” Ryzhenko noted.
He emphasized that the liberation of Zmiinyi Island was a turning point, as it allowed Ukraine to maintain its maritime logistics. “Without the liberation of Zmiinyi, there would be no ‘grain corridor,’” the expert stressed.
According to Ryzhenko, it was the attacks by maritime drones that were the main reason Russia lost control of the Black Sea waters. “Maritime drones forced the Russian fleet to flee from Sevastopol,” he stated.
