Neither Russia nor Ukraine dominates Black Sea – Commander of Estonian Navy

Commodore Ivo Värk, Commander of the Estonian Navy, has said that neither Russia nor Ukraine dominates the Black Sea in the conventional sense of naval warfare.

Source: European Pravda; Estonian public broadcaster ERR

Details: Värk emphasised that neither the Russian Federation nor Ukraine dominates the Black Sea in the conventional sense of naval warfare.

Quote: "Today, the entire Black Sea can be considered a contested maritime area in this sense, where both sides effectively have a certain degree of freedom of action. This freedom of action is, of course, greater near the coastline, where both sides have their own air defence systems, naval mines and support from various shore-based weapon systems."

More details: Värk added that ships usually venture out to sea only for specific operations, but neither side takes excessive risks.

Värk noted that both sides use gas drilling platforms in the Black Sea, "They provide a good opportunity for both sides to place reconnaissance equipment there and then monitor the naval situation from there. However, it is known that they are not permanently controlled by either side, meaning they frequently change hands."

He was asked whether Ukraine had revolutionised the field of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), as the Ukrainian army had reportedly managed to down a Russian helicopter using a USV.

"Ground-based attack drones have indeed become an important tool for Ukraine, but their image and, perhaps, their usefulness may be somewhat overestimated in the public eye," Värk responded.

"Ukraine itself says that they are using USVs precisely because they lack other means. They have nothing to counter the Russian Black Sea Fleet," he added.

He noted that out of 17 large Russian warships, Ukrainian drones had managed to damage only six.

Värk acknowledged that the maritime environment is challenging for drones.

"Speaking of drones in general, drone technologies and counter-drone measures at sea are also developing at an incredible pace. However, many experts also believe that drone technologies are more likely to serve as an additional measure, that is, complementary to conventional tools and capabilities of naval warfare.

In other words, it will undoubtedly help improve situational awareness and enhance reconnaissance activities but will not replace modern submarines, surface ships, missiles, mines and similar means," he added.

Background: 

• In November, UK Defence Intelligence identified the widespread use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a pivotal event that had altered the nature of Russia's war against Ukraine.
• UK intelligence also noted that Ukraine’s successful actions against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet had resulted in the destruction of about a quarter of its large vessels, including its flagship, forcing the fleet to retreat to the eastern part of the Black Sea.

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