Naval forces reveal how Russia is losing battle for Black Sea
Photo: Russia is physically unable to ship its grain through Black Sea ports (Getty Images)
Russia is suffering far heavier losses than Ukraine in the Black Sea confrontation, while its grain export operations are now endangered by loading and shipping disruptions, Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said.
Ukraine has managed to keep its civilian maritime corridor operational, allowing commercial vessels to continue sailing despite Russian attacks. According to Pletenchuk, Ukraine is also continuing to strengthen its capabilities in the region.
"Operations are ongoing, and shipping continues. Of course, we will keep looking for ways to expand our capabilities. The Russians are trying to pretend that everything is fine, but one way or another, you can see that in this 'game,' they are suffering losses that are far greater than ours," he said.
Moscow’s diplomacy and its demands
The Navy spokesperson explained that the Kremlin continues to employ obsolete diplomatic methods inherent to the so-called Vyacheslav Molotov school, where any negotiations are perceived as an excuse to put forward additional demands.
"As soon as the Russians are offered something, they immediately demand extra bonuses," the military official noted.
He said that similar behavior was already observed after the expiration of the grain deal, when Russia demanded the lifting of sanctions for its extension. Such tactics are typical for Russia, which is actually interested in agreements to cease strikes on vessels.
Export crisis
At the same time, Russia is facing a growing domestic crisis in agricultural exports, as its Black Sea ports account for the largest share of the country’s grain shipments.
"There is now talk inside Russia about the state buying up grain that they will not be able to ship through Black Sea ports. And, as it turned out, the share of these very ports in Russia's grain exports is the largest," Pletenchuk said.
In particular, operations at the key Russian port complex in Novorossiysk have been reduced to a minimum.
Shipping volumes have fallen sharply and are approaching zero. According to Pletenchuk, the situation with product shipments there has also become highly unfavorable for Russia.
Earlier, drones attacked at least five grain vessels near the Russian Black Sea ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse.
The attacks came amid an intensification of Ukrainian strikes, as Moscow struggles to keep its grain exports flowing.
