Zelenskyy: Russia has lost the Black Sea
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: flickr.com)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Russia has lost the Black Sea. A chart showing destroyed Russian Black Sea Fleet vessels was also seen during his meeting with military personnel, according to the president and Ukraine's defense minister adviser Serhii Sternenko.
"The Ukrainian Navy, together with other components of the Defense and Security Forces, has achieved what many thought was impossible. Russia has lost the Black Sea," Zelenskyy said.
He stressed that, beginning with the liberation of Zmiinyi (Snake) Island and continuing with operations against Russia's fleet, ports, and occupation forces in Crimea, Ukraine has demonstrated that the Black and Azov seas will not become safe havens for Russia.
"Everyone can now see that we have seized the initiative from Russia and are bringing this war back to where it came from—onto Russian soil, into Russian skies, and to Russia's shores. Back to the home harbor of this war... And every honest heart around the world expects only one thing from Ukraine: that we defeat this Russian evil," the president said.
Ahead of Ukraine's Navy Day, Zelenskyy also honored Ukrainian service members, presenting battle flags and For Courage and Valor streamers to military units.
He also announced plans to establish a new Naval Academy in Odesa.
"I know our Navy needs this, we have the capability to make it happen, and, most importantly, our cadets and young people have the desire to serve and defend Ukraine. We will certainly accomplish all of these goals," the president added.
#Zelenskyy: #Russia has lost the Black Sea pic.twitter.com/P5XVdffJE2
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) July 4, 2026
Chart showing damage to Russia's fleet
Earlier today, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a coordination meeting with the Ukrainian Navy command to discuss the situation in the country's southern region. Serhii Sternenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian defense minister, pointed out that a chart showing the status of Russia's Black Sea Fleet vessels was visible in the footage.
In particular, it lists principal combat ships, landing ships, and support vessels of the fleet, along with the extent of their losses. It indicates that:
- Of 33 principal combat ships, 4 have been destroyed and 8 damaged.
- Of 34 landing ships, 15 have been destroyed and 10 damaged.
- Of 23 support vessels, 3 have been destroyed and 9 damaged.
Chart showing the status of the Russian Black Sea Fleet vessels (photo: https://t.me/ssternenko/60261)
Fighting for the Black Sea
Recently, the commander of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) unit, known by the call sign Deviatyi (Ninth), said Ukraine is developing a new type of naval drone system that would allow it to intercept and seize sanctioned vessels in the Black Sea rather than destroy them.
Reports also emerged that, according to the UK Ministry of Defense, Russia's Black Sea Fleet has begun equipping its submarines with protective cage-like structures designed to defend against drone attacks.
In June, meanwhile, the ATESH partisan movement reported that Russia was preparing to relocate the command of its Black Sea Fleet from Sevastopol. According to the group, Russian officers had already begun moving their families to Novorossiysk before any official order had been issued.
