Ukraine Puts Russia On The Defensive In The Black Sea

Commercial vessels have resumed using Ukraine's main port of Odesa without seeking permission from Russia for the first time since the war began, demonstrating just how much the balance of power has shifted in the Black Sea, Yaroslav Trofimov reported for the Wall Street Journal.

Today, Russian warships no longer dare to venture into the northwestern part of the Black Sea, deterred by Ukrainian coastal missiles and extensive minefields. I Photo: Fabrobert70 Wikimedia Commons

By waging an asymmetrical war that relies on domestically produced naval drones and missiles to target Russian ships in their own home bases, Ukraine has eroded much of Russia's vaunted naval superiority.

Now, it is taking the battle to Russia itself.

"To ensure our security, both now and in the future, we must begin the defense of our shore on the enemy's shore," stated Vice Adm. Oleksiy Neizhpapa, the commander of the Ukrainian navy, in an interview.

"This is an approach that we're gradually implementing."

Today, Russian warships no longer dare to venture into the northwestern part of the Black Sea, deterred by Ukrainian coastal missiles and extensive minefields. The Russian Black Sea Fleet itself has suffered significant losses due to a series of successful Ukrainian strikes, rendering no area of the Black Sea safe for it anymore.

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