The strategic movement in the Black Sea continues with Russia loading cruise missiles into a pair of submarines between its Black Sea fleet. This comes just days after a report said the US was preparing to attack the Russian fleet to clear roads so that Ukraine could export grain.
Two Russian submarines have already moored at moorings in the southern bay of Sevastopol to carry Kalibr missiles, according to Ukrainian media Kyrm.Realii. Four of these “Caliber” missile types will be loaded on two of the six Varshavyanka submarines, which are designed to fire such missiles that have attacks with ground and sea capability.
In 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that these missiles have the ability to hit a target from 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) from submarines.
Russian submarines are reportedly hanging cruise missiles to fight Ukraine in the Black Sea. In this photo, Russian naval flags are seen in the old Ukrainian submarine (C) of Zaporizhzhia moored between the Russian submarines Alrosa (L) and PZS-50 (R) in the bay of the Crimean port of Sevastopol on March 27. 2014. Photo by VIKTOR DRACHEV / AFP via Getty Images
On Tuesday, a Ukrainian Defense Minister said that the Russian Black Sea Fleet planned to use submarine missiles to attack Ukrainian territory.
“Now the composition of the ship is used to strike with cruise missiles, this is a clear duty of combat: two frigates, four small missile ships, two submarines, constantly in combat service and constantly hitting our territory with missiles of Caliber cruiser, “said Vadym Skibitsky. the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Ukraine is one of the largest grain exporters in the world. Russia has banned the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, where it may then have a global reach. This has already led to fears of a global food shortage that could lead to rising costs in some nations and hunger in others.
Last Friday, the adviser of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Anton Gerashchenko, said that the US was preparing to destroy the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
“The effective work of the Ukrainians on the warships convinced (the US) to prepare a plan to unblock the ports,” Geraishchenko tweeted. “Deliveries of powerful anti – ship weapons (Harpoon and Naval Strike Missile with a range of 250-300 km) are being discussed.
Sevastopol is the largest city on the Crimean peninsula, which has been occupied by Russia since 2014. It is also one of the major ports on the Black Sea, and is said to be carrying cruise missiles, along with the port city. of Odessa, southern Ukraine. , which is one of the northernmost ports on the Black Sea.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, but was unable to take the capital, Kyiv, and was repulsed by Ukrainian fighters. Ukrainian fighters have also shown strong defense in northern cities such as Kharkiv, where they have pushed Russian troops back to the nearby border.
Russia, despite numerous losses in the war entering its 14th week, has shifted its focus to eastern and southern Ukraine. This includes a strong presence in the Black Sea.
A U.S. State Department spokesman told Newsweek last week that the U.S. military has changed with development changes in the Black Sea, and so has the U.S. security and assistance delivery.
“As the conflict changes, so does our military assistance in providing the critical capabilities that Ukraine needs for today’s struggle, as Russian forces launch a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine.” said the spokesman.
“We are the world’s leading provider of security assistance to Ukraine in times of need, and we are encouraging allies and partners around the world to do the same.”
However, another Ukrainian Defense Minister said that the Russian fleet was blocked and loaded if there was an external threat to its mission.
“Two ships with a total flight of up to 16 ‘3M-54 Kalibr’ missiles are ready for use in the Black Sea,” said Oleksandr Motuzianyk, a spokesman for Ukraine’s defense ministry.
Reports estimate that there are about 20 Russian ships that prevent Ukrainian ships from making export trips.