The ships of the new "Dnieper River Flotilla," which Russia has decided to create, will be vulnerable to Ukrainian drones that effectively destroy ships of the Black Sea Fleet.
This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Great Britain on Twitter.
According to the summary, on March 20, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the formation of the "Dnieper River Flotilla" and a brigade of boats. This new formation is likely to be responsible for the security of the waterways of the Dnieper and the islands separating Kherson, controlled by Russia and Ukraine.
"It is a realistic possibility the Dnipro Flotilla will be subordinate to the Dnipro Group of Forces, which combined the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro Group of Forces in February 2024," the statement said.
According to British intelligence, Russia likely wants to prevent and disrupt Ukrainian operations across the river, such as the operation to create and support a bridgehead in Krynyky. Russian and Ukrainian forces suffered significant personnel and equipment losses during attacks on Krynyky. In particular, on March 17, 2024, Ukrainian forces in Krynyky reported repelling an attack by Russia's 810th Guards Marine Brigade.
This formation is likely to assume river patrol functions from the Black Sea Fleet, while the Black Sea Fleet will continue to operate in the eastern part of the Black Sea, the statement emphasizes.
"The Dnipro Flotilla will likely be vulnerable to Ukrainian uncrewed surface vehicles which have been effective in destroying Russian vessels operating in the Black Sea," the British Ministry of Defense said.
