Russian warships have remained out of the Black and Azov Seas for nearly six months due to the threat of destruction by Ukraine's Defence Forces, according to Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy.
Speaking during a television broadcast, Pletenchuk, a captain third rank, said the situation had remained unchanged for six consecutive months.
"The situation has not changed. The enemy is not keeping its warships at sea, and we can effectively say that this has been the case for six months now. In other words, it has been almost half a year since Russia last deployed any warships to the Black or Azov Seas," Pletenchuk said.
The Navy spokesperson added that Russia's disruption of shipping in the Black Sea has also created difficulties for its own exports, forcing the country to redirect shipments of agricultural products, oil and other commodities through the Baltic and North Seas.
"By creating problems in the Black Sea, Russia has also damaged its own exports. The Black Sea played a key role in agricultural exports and a significant role in tanker shipments of crude oil. As a result of these disruptions, Russia has been forced to redirect its export routes," Pletenchuk explained. Essentially, agricultural products, iron and other raw materials from southern Russia now have to be exported via the Baltic and North Seas."
According to Pletenchuk, Russia must face the consequences of its actions, and Ukraine's Defence Forces will continue conducting strikes similar to the recent operation against the port of Ust-Luga.
"The fact that Ukraine's Defence Forces are capable of striking targets with such precision at such considerable distances is a genuine achievement," Pletenchuk emphasised.
