Back in 2014, the Black Sea Fleet was weak and old, but by now the modernized ships can win any battle, said Forbes analyst David Ex, writes InoSMI.
Moscow has spent years and a billion dollars on new ships, submarines, warplanes and Caliber missiles that can travel hundreds of kilometers. If Russia decides to make an “attack” on Ukrainian territory, then a new front may be deployed at sea.
“In 2014, the Black Sea Fleet did not have enough missiles to strike at ground targets. Today, a third of the ships in the fleet are capable of firing Caliber missiles. Drones and manned reconnaissance aircraft are used to help launch missiles”, the expert noted.
According to Ax, if the Black Sea Fleet attacks Ukraine, then its targets may be political, not purely military: non-military government agencies, individual Ukrainian leaders.
“Strikes against targets deep in Ukrainian territory can be accompanied by smaller ground strikes to ensure that targets are achieved on the ground near the country’s border,” writes Forbes.
The expert emphasized that over the past seven years, the Black Sea Fleet has completely transformed. In 2021, the fleet was supplemented by three Admiral Grigorovich-class missile frigates, four patrol ships and six Kilo-class submarines.
“At the moment, Ukraine’s potential in preventing an attack from the sea is limited, and the offensive potential of the Black Sea Fleet is growing faster and more efficiently than the defense capabilities of the Ukrainian one,” Aix summed up.