Russia remains determined to disrupt Ukraine's civilian shipping and restrict the country's export and import capabilities, but it has been forced to adapt its tactics and methods while suffering significant losses from Ukrainian strikes, according to Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk.
"In reality, the enemy's desire to damage our export and import capabilities has not changed. Nor has its goal of preventing Ukraine from maintaining civilian maritime traffic. Russia has pursued this objective since the beginning of the full-scale invasion," Pletenchuk said during a televised interview.
"You could say nothing has changed on the Russian side. The only things that have changed are the tactics and the means being used. The ambitions of the Russian dictator remain the same, including the maritime blockade of Ukraine that he publicly reiterated at the end of last year," he added.
Pletenchuk noted that "this game can be played by both sides," pointing out that the maritime blockade is now also affecting Russia, particularly around occupied Crimea and in the Sea of Azov. He said Ukrainian strikes have increasingly impacted Russian maritime operations in the Black Sea as well.
"I wouldn't expect dramatic results by the end of the summer because Russian infrastructure is extensive and has been built up over a long period. It cannot be disabled overnight," he said. "But if we don't continue these operations, it will never happen. As you can see, their logistics have already suffered considerably."
The Navy spokesperson also highlighted noticeable changes in Russia's use of certain weapon systems and attack methods, suggesting that many of its previous capabilities have been significantly depleted and that Russian forces are increasingly relying on whatever assets remain available.
