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Russia has recently increased the frequency of deploying missile carriers to the Black Sea. Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy, explained the reasons behind this on Hromadske Radio.
«Yesterday, the situation changed as the ships returned to their home base. Currently, there are two submarines of the 636 project at sea.»
Pletenchuk notes that this could either be a rotation of enemy ships or an effort to protect their base.
There is always the possibility that these ships could be used for shelling, Pletenchuk acknowledges. However, the occupiers have not used missile launchers individually for some time, opting instead for combined missile attacks. At the moment, though, Pletenchuk says there are no signs that such an attack is being prepared.
«We can say that the situation remains stable in this regard.»
Another reason for the changes in the Black Sea, including the withdrawal of ships from their base, could be a dispersal tactic to guard against potential attacks, Pletenchuk suggests.
«Most likely, the enemy is anticipating a strike on their base, which has forced them to move the ships into the Black Sea—where Ukrainian «gifts» are waiting for them.»
As a reminder, the special intelligence unit «Angels» evacuated the family of a Ukrainian Navy officer from the temporarily occupied Crimea. They faced persecution by the FSB.
On 18 September, the entire family—including the officer’s parents, sister, and minor niece—were detained by the occupiers. They were held illegally for several days, subjected to psychological pressure, and threatened with torture. The occupiers intended to coerce the Ukrainian officer into cooperating. On 20 September, the officer’s family was temporarily released on the condition that the officer contact the FSB within five days.