Putin threatens maritime blockade: why Russia is unable to carry it out.

According to ТСН: The Russian Federation currently cannot cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea either from land or from water. Moscow's statements are just words.

Expert's Comment

This opinion was expressed by Captain 1st Rank in Reserve, former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Ryjenko on the air of '24 Channel'.

'All the most combat-ready ships of Russia are currently in Novorossiysk. Since the beginning of the war, they have lost a third of their combat core. If any vessel is activated, it will become an ideal target for our drones, which have already mastered the art of naval combat. They will virtually all be destroyed in the northwestern part of the Black Sea,' emphasized Ryjenko.

Strikes on Tankers

Commenting on Ukraine's strikes on Russian tankers, he noted that it is not only about Russia's shadow fleet but also about tankers from various countries.

'The globalization of the maritime economy is such that a tanker may have an owner from one country, a flag from another, an operator from a third, a crew from a fourth, and cargo from a fifth. Many countries can be involved in this process. Therefore, serious legal and regulatory support, a mandate for Security Forces is needed for such operations. I think there is work to be done here, as there are questions from Turkey,' added Ryjenko.

Threat of Maritime Blockade

Shortly before this, the dictator of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, threatened Ukraine with a maritime blockade. He stated that Russia is ready to expand its strikes on Ukrainian maritime infrastructure in response to attacks on Russian tankers. According to the 'Führer', the threat will concern not only ports but also vessels entering Ukrainian harbors.

In the context of military actions in the Black Sea, the activity of Russian forces and their threats remain a serious challenge for Ukraine. The situation in the region remains tense, and any steps from Moscow may escalate the conflict. The issue of supporting Ukraine's military actions both on land and at sea, as well as international support that will help avoid further escalation, remains relevant.