Kyiv’s innovative sea warfare forces Russia into retreat, reshaping Black Sea dominance

Despite lacking a conventional navy, Ukraine has effectively outmanoeuvred Russia in the Black Sea, forcing Vladimir Putin’s fleet into a defensive stance. With its warships heavily damaged and its naval operations disrupted, Russia’s push for a ceasefire in the Black and Azov seas has become increasingly urgent.

Three years after the full-scale invasion, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is largely inactive. The destruction of the Moskva, its flagship cruiser, in 2022 marked a turning point. Since then, Ukraine has employed long-range missiles, drones, and precision strikes to neutralise at least 20 Russian vessels, including troop carriers and smaller combat ships.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence has labelled Russia’s fleet “functionally inactive,” as many of its remaining warships have retreated to safer harbours like Novorossiysk. Putin’s forces have lost an estimated 30-40% of their naval capacity in the region.

Ukraine’s naval personnel, though limited in number, remain vigilant. Crews on repurposed patrol boats work tirelessly, defending against Russian drone attacks over Odesa. Lieutenant Commander Mykhailo, stationed on one such vessel, notes that while Russian sea drones occasionally appear, direct naval confrontations have all but ceased.

Ukraine’s innovative approach to naval warfare has bypassed traditional fleet battles. With Turkey restricting military passage through the Bosphorus Strait, Kyiv has shifted focus to advanced sea drones and long-range strikes. The strategy has been highly effective, significantly weakening Russia’s presence in the region.

Beyond military success, Ukraine has managed to restore grain exports to pre-war levels, despite initial disruptions caused by Russian attacks. The brief agreement to allow agricultural shipments collapsed in mid-2023, but Russia’s weakened control over the Black Sea has since enabled Kyiv to resume vital trade routes.

Lieutenant Commander Cedric Dmytro Pletenchuk of the Ukrainian navy highlights the key phases of their success: sinking the Moskva, striking Russian bases in Crimea, and forcing Moscow’s fleet into withdrawal. He notes that continued pressure has compelled Russian warships to relocate frequently to evade Ukrainian attacks.

Despite Russia’s push for a ceasefire, Ukraine remains sceptical. The ongoing bombardment of civilian targets, including recent missile strikes on cargo ships, reinforces Kyiv’s stance that Moscow cannot be trusted to honour a truce. Public sentiment in Ukraine overwhelmingly rejects any settlement that fails to guarantee territorial integrity.

The roots of Ukraine’s Black Sea strategy trace back to the war’s early days in 2022, when a Russian warship demanded the surrender of troops stationed on Snake Island. Their defiant response symbolised Kyiv’s resistance and set the stage for a new era of naval warfare—one that continues to challenge Russia’s dominance at sea.