Last Russian patrol ship leaves Crimea - Ukrainian Navy
Photo: Dmytro Pletenchuk (facebook.com.Taclbery)
Russia has withdrawn all the patrol ships of its Black Sea Fleet from the occupied Crimea. The last one is now leaving, according to Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk.
"The last patrol ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet is leaving our Crimea right now," he writes.
Elimination of Russian fleet
Ukraine, which does not have large warships, has used unmanned military boats packed with explosives to attack Russian vessels and has also attacked fleet facilities and other military targets in Crimea using Storm Shadow and ATACMS missiles.
Ukraine's Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa, said that the Russian Black Sea Fleet was forced to relocate almost all of its combat-ready ships from occupied Crimea to other locations.
Ukraine has destroyed or damaged 27 warships, including five that were eliminated as a result of being hit by sea mines, Neizhpapa says.
In addition, F-16s with appropriate weapons will be able to push back Russian warplanes. According to the Ukrainian Navy Commander, the northwestern part of the Black Sea, especially the corridor for civilian ships, will be almost 100% protected.
