Advance in the Black Sea: How Ukraine is Disrupting Russia's Plans for Crimea - ISW.

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), in light of updated information about the destruction of two Russian helicopters in Crimea, note that the strengthening of Ukraine's offensive capabilities in the Black Sea will threaten Russian control over occupied Crimea.

The Chief Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) specified new details about the strike of a Ukrainian naval drone on December 31 against Russian Mi-8 helicopters in the Black Sea, as Ukrainian strikes continue to weaken Russian operations in occupied Crimea, reports Ukrainian Truth.

On January 2, HUR reported that the Ukrainian drone Magura V5 destroyed two Russian Mi-8 helicopters with missiles and damaged one in the Black Sea on December 31.

Previously, HUR reported that the drone strike had only destroyed one helicopter and damaged another.

Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Captain Third Rank Dmytro Pletenchuk questioned Russian reports that there were eight crew members on board the helicopters but noted that the loss of highly skilled helicopter crews is significant.

Pletenchuk also noted that Ukrainian strikes on occupied Crimea deprived Russian troops of sustainable logistics in the area, including due to damage to the railway on the bridge over the Kerch Strait and ferries that transported railway wagons and fuel tanks.

At the same Time, a so-called Russian military blogger claimed that Russian military ships are trying to hide from Ukrainian Navy strikes in bays and ports, and that Russian forces would only be able to repel Ukrainian naval drones equipped with missiles using reactive and fighter aviation.

According to ISW's assessment, the strengthening of Ukraine's offensive capabilities in the Black Sea is likely to threaten Russian control over occupied Crimea,' the report says.