Russian Missile-Carrying Ships Completely Withdraw from the Sea of Azov
The Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have reported the complete absence of Russian ships capable of carrying cruise missiles in the Sea of Azov.
Naval spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk stated that Russian forces were forced to withdraw their combat units due to the constant threat of destruction by Ukrainian weapons.
“Last year, the enemy tried to maintain a presence in the area, staying there for extended periods. But after a series of successful strikes by Ukraine’s Defense Forces, the Russian command decided to urgently relocate the fleet to safer locations,” Pletenchuk said. “There are no carriers, no ships. Last year they entered twice for long periods, but after the strikes, they quickly left.”
The Sea of Azov is currently considered a critically dangerous zone for Russian military vessels. Any enemy combat unit in this area is within range of various Ukrainian weapons systems, making their presence strategically unfeasible.
In addition to Ukrainian fire control, natural features of the Sea of Azov — its shallow depth, reaching a maximum of 15 meters — limit the maneuverability of large ships, making them easy targets for Ukrainian naval drones and coastal artillery.
Despite the withdrawal of the combat fleet, a so-called “gray fleet” of Russian civilian vessels continues to operate in the region. These ships sail exclusively between Russian ports, avoiding international waters to evade sanctions.
It should be recalled that the Ukrainian Navy recently destroyed a Russian Ka-27 helicopter over the Black Sea and released footage showing the destruction of a Pantsir-S1 system and a Russian boat in Crimea.
