Posted on Jul 9, 2022
Ukraine Is Turning The Tide Against Russian Navy In Black Sea - Naval News
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The Russian Navy is on paper the second most powerful on the planet, thanks to its nuclear submarine fleet. Yet it appears to have retreated in its war with Ukraine. It has dialed back its presence off the Ukrainian coast near Odesa. Much of the northern Black Sea is now a defacto no-go zone for its ships. This likely contributed to the decision to retreat from Snake Island, a strategic gain it made early in the war.
A major factor will have been the arrival of Harpoon anti-ship missiles in Ukraine. But like so many things in the defense sphere, it is more complicated than that.
The naval aspect of the war, in the northwest Black Sea between Crimea and the Odesa coast, can be separated into phases.
A major factor will have been the arrival of Harpoon anti-ship missiles in Ukraine. But like so many things in the defense sphere, it is more complicated than that.
The naval aspect of the war, in the northwest Black Sea between Crimea and the Odesa coast, can be separated into phases.
Ukraine Is Turning The Tide Against Russian Navy In Black Sea - Naval News
Posted from navalnews.com
Ukraine
Russia
Posted 2 y ago
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PO1 John Johnson
Absolutely; the ineffectiveness of their ground/air/naval assault action in Ukraine leaves me wondering about their prowess. If they didn't have the threat of Nukes hanging over the West's head, I'm thinking this might have been beaten back fairly quickly had the US and NATO gotten involved on the ground in Ukraine.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."The Tide Has Turned
Dramatically, at the end of June, Russia abandoned Snake Island. It was a victory for the artillery systems being used to bombard the exposed island. But it was also a victory for Harpoon, which made resupply so risky.
The Russian Navy is sailing much less. Patrol areas tend to be well away from the Ukrainian coast. The amphibious ships are increasingly kept in port, and offensive operations are limited to cruise missile launches. These are often from right outside the home port entrance.
Submarines are now being used for some of the cruise missile launches. Possibly they can operate more safely closer to the Ukrainian controlled coast. Even the Admiral Grigorovich class frigates are operating well away from the threat. This does not speak of confidence in their ASMD capabilities.
Much further away from the action, Russia has suddenly started increasing defenses of the Kerch Bridge. This is out of range of most Ukrainian weapons, but unusual decoys have been deployed. It suggests a heightened sense of risk.
On the other hand, Russia still imposes an effective blockade. It has been doing this with missile corvettes and patrol boats operating much further south, near to Romania. We should not think that Russia is no longer the stronger navy. But the threat of Harpoon and other systems has pushed it into an almost passive role.
In war it is difficult to predict what tomorrow will bring. But for today, Russia appears much less in control of the northern Black Sea."
..."The Tide Has Turned
Dramatically, at the end of June, Russia abandoned Snake Island. It was a victory for the artillery systems being used to bombard the exposed island. But it was also a victory for Harpoon, which made resupply so risky.
The Russian Navy is sailing much less. Patrol areas tend to be well away from the Ukrainian coast. The amphibious ships are increasingly kept in port, and offensive operations are limited to cruise missile launches. These are often from right outside the home port entrance.
Submarines are now being used for some of the cruise missile launches. Possibly they can operate more safely closer to the Ukrainian controlled coast. Even the Admiral Grigorovich class frigates are operating well away from the threat. This does not speak of confidence in their ASMD capabilities.
Much further away from the action, Russia has suddenly started increasing defenses of the Kerch Bridge. This is out of range of most Ukrainian weapons, but unusual decoys have been deployed. It suggests a heightened sense of risk.
On the other hand, Russia still imposes an effective blockade. It has been doing this with missile corvettes and patrol boats operating much further south, near to Romania. We should not think that Russia is no longer the stronger navy. But the threat of Harpoon and other systems has pushed it into an almost passive role.
In war it is difficult to predict what tomorrow will bring. But for today, Russia appears much less in control of the northern Black Sea."
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