Key weapons of Ukrainian Navy in first days of war were mines and Bayraktars — Commander of Ukrainian Navy

OLENA ROSHCHINA — MONDAY, 22 AUGUST 2022, 11:18

Oleksii Neizhpapa, Commander of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that the Navy actively used anti-ship mines and Bayraktar drones in the first days to protect the sea coast of Ukraine.

Source: Rear Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa in an interview published by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on Facebook

Quote: "Mentally, we were all ready, preparing for this. Ships of the Naval Forces were withdrawn from their bases, ship-tactical groups served at sea. Artillery groups were formed on the shore, which were in cooperation with technical intelligence tools to detect Russian surface targets."

Details: Neizhpapa said that mines at that time were the most powerful weapon that the Navy had – "and it was used." 

It was necessary to mine the landing-accessible areas in order to prevent Russia from landing tactical troops. 

Neizhpapa noted that the struggle for the landing of troops is a matter for the Ground Forces, and it is a matter for the Navy to prevent Russians from reaching the shore. 

Quote: "To understand how to repel Russians, you need to have situational awareness of what is happening at sea – to make the right decisions. The task was to disperse the ships and carry out radar patrols. At night, everyone went to sea on schedule, despite the high risk of being drowned. Ships went to sea – and now they are going out to go ahead and see where the Russian invaders are."

In the first days of the war, the Ukrainian Navy was also greatly helped by Bayraktar drones. The Bayraktar Squadron played a key role, working, in particular, in Kherson Oblast and over the Black Sea.

According to Neizhpapa, "everything that could fly was used to the fullest."

The Rear Admiral also noted that the Russian Black Sea Fleet has become the most powerful Russian fleet since 2014.

The Russians replenished it with frigates, missile boats and 6 submarines that were armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, which formed a strike group. Also, the Black Sea fleet of the Russian Federation has a tactical grouping with more outdated missiles, which was reinforced by ships from other fleets.

According to Neizhpapa, the Black Sea fleet of the Russian Federation is a strong opponent. And they believe that Ukraine does not have a military fleet. But "military anger" helped the Ukrainians, so even boats managed to shoot down cruise missiles and planes.

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