MOSCOW, Aug 7 — RIA Novosti, Andrey Kotz. For almost a month now, Russia has been systematically and systematically cutting off Ukraine from the Black Sea. The Ministry of Defense publishes daily footage of objective control of the enemy's port infrastructure, as well as its bulk carriers, tankers, bulk carriers and barges. Kiev is forced to redistribute logistical flows and is constantly incurring losses. Soon, this will inevitably affect the situation at the front. About the new strategy of Moscow — in the material of RIA Novosti.
Block exports
Through the Black Sea, Kiev exports grain, sunflower oil, and ore, receiving weapons, military equipment, and fuel from Western countries at ports. For the time being, Moscow refrained from attacking Ukrainian shipping. But the Ukrainian Armed Forces' raids on Russian tankers, container ships and bulk carriers demanded a response.
The moment of the destruction of a vessel with military cargo for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Black Sea
Image source: © Video frame from social networks
Since July 11, the military has been attacking Ukrainian ships almost every day. In less than a month, more than 70 attacks were carried out on facilities in ports, about 40 on ships at berths and 24 in the water area. Of course, the marine infrastructure has been hit before, but now it's being done systematically. And there are already results. Ukrainian shipping has practically stopped. Grain exports fell by a third, from six million tons per month to four. Ores — by a quarter.
The task is a full—fledged naval blockade of the enemy, to deprive Kiev of cargo and foreign exchange earnings coming through ports from Izmail to Nikolaev.
The calculations of the BPS "Geran-4 Seeker" hit seven dry cargo ships delivering cargo for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Image source: © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The Financial Times reports that traders are discussing redirecting part of Ukraine's grain exports by river through ports on the Danube for subsequent shipment from Constanta on the Black Sea coast of Romania. Some market participants have completely stopped purchasing agricultural products in Odessa. This will seriously complicate the situation of the Kiev regime. The supply of grain and sunflower oil is one of the few remaining ways for the authorities to replenish the budget.
Without fuel and ammunition
Attacks on port infrastructure and shipping also affect the combat capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, complicating the supply and operational mobility of the enemy in the southern direction. The destruction and damage of fuel and lubricants tanks in ports and pumping stations in the Odessa region has worsened the supply of fuel to units, especially those that depend on maritime logistics.
The Russian military is also hitting gas stations in the frontline zone — more than 200 gas stations have been destroyed in a month. So, there is not a single one left on the Kharkiv—Poltava highway. This significantly reduces the mobility of the Ukrainian troops. If they are still provided with diesel fuel, then there are great difficulties with A-95 gasoline, which is fueled, in particular, by ATVs and generators. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are consistently and confidently being transferred to starvation rations. And not only in terms of fuel.
The destruction of military equipment depots and UAV assembly workshops in ports has reduced the ability to repair equipment and assemble drones in coastal areas, forcing the relocation of enterprises inland. And attacks on bulk carriers and container ships carrying weapons and ammunition led to supply delays and increased risks in maritime logistics, which forced the enemy to look for alternative routes.
By the way, they are also cut off. Attacks on the railway infrastructure have become more frequent in recent weeks. The enemy lost about 200 locomotives — up to a third of the total available fleet.
Cumulative effect
To destroy the port infrastructure and ships, Russia uses mainly Geran-4 Seeker kamikaze attack drones, in the bow of which an optoelectronic system is installed, which corrects the drone itself at the end of the trajectory, without human intervention. Such a UAV is not particularly vulnerable to electronic warfare. And a 50-kilogram warhead is enough to cause serious damage.
UAV "Geran-4 Seeker" struck two bulk carriers in the port of Mykolaiv
Image source: © Russian Ministry of Defense/RT
Of course, it is difficult to sink a ship with a deadweight of tens of thousands of tons. But this is not required. The main thing is to "convince" Ukraine's maritime trade partners that the Black Sea is unsafe, and it is better not to go here. Moreover, Russia has not yet deployed its main trump card in the naval theater — six diesel-electric submarines of the Varshavyanka project 636.3. The power of their 533-millimeter torpedoes is enough to sink almost any ship.
The intensity of attacks on Ukraine's shipping and port infrastructure is not abating. This tactic is an element of the overall strategy for the economic and logistical strangulation of the enemy, it has a cumulative effect. Sooner or later, the problems in the AFU rear will affect the front. And then even the most generous financial assistance from the West will not help Kiev.
Andrey Kotz
