Russia sends corvette to intercept merchant ships in the Black Sea - UK intelligence
Corvette SERGEY KOTOV (Russian media)
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has altered its posture since Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), in preparedness to enforce a blockade on Ukraine, reported the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom on Twitter.
According to the UK intelligence, the modern corvette SERGEY KOTOV, has deployed to the southern Black Sea, patrolling the shipping lane between the Bosphorus and Odesa.
There is a realistic possibility that it will form part of a task group to intercept commercial vessels Russia believes are heading to Ukraine.
British intelligence reports that the BSGI has moderated the involvement of the Black Sea in the war: there is now the potential for the intensity and scope of violence in the area to increase.
"SERGEY KOTOV"
Recently, the Russian military reported an attack by Ukrainian naval drones on the corvette SERGEY KOTOV in the Black Sea. The vessel was located 370 kilometers away from Sevastopol.
Reportedly, the attack was successfully repelled, with both "enemy remotely piloted boats" allegedly destroyed by the Russian ship's onboard weapons.
Russia's attacks on ports
Following the withdrawal from the "grain deal," Russia has been launching nightly missile strikes on the southern region of Ukraine, particularly targeting Odesa and its surrounding areas.
According to British intelligence, from August 2022 to June 2023, when the Black Sea Grain Initiative was still in effect, Russia refrained from striking civilian infrastructure in the southern ports.
However, since the start of the war, Russia's attacks have been characterized by "poor reconnaissance and ineffective targeting," as reported by the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom.
