The russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) has suffered a series of major attacks in recent weeks, culminating in strikes on its headquarters on September 20 and 22, 2023. These attacks have been more damaging and more coordinated than thus far in the war, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
The physical damage to the BSF is almost certainly severe but localized. The fleet almost certainly remains capable of fulfilling its core wartime missions of cruise missile strikes and local security patrols. It is, however, likely that its ability to continue wider regional security patrols and enforce its de facto blockade of Ukrainian ports will be diminished. It also likely has a degraded ability to defend its assets in port and to conduct routine maintenance.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Analyzed the Reasons Behind Petrol and Diesel Shortages in russia
A dynamic, deep strike battle is underway in the Black Sea. This is likely forcing russia into a reactive posture whilst demonstrating that Ukraine’s military can undermine the Kremlin’s symbolic and strategic power projection from its warm water port in occupied Sevastopol.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Analyzed an Unusual Intensity of Attacks Over the Last Week
