Ukrainian postage stamp, depicting a Ukrainian soldier giving Russian cruiser Moskvathe finger, issued two days before she sank
Naval warfare in the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022, when the Russian Armed Forces launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. Media reporting of and focus on the invasion has largely been on the terrestrial and aerial aspects[1] – however, maritime engagements have been consequential during the conflict. Disputes over Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea have also played a significant role.[2][3]
On 24 February 2022 – at the beginning of the invasion – the Russian Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport announced the suspension of maritime navigation in the Sea of Azov until further notice. The reason given was the commencement of "antiterrorist operations" by the Black Sea Fleet.[4] The following day, 25 February, the Russian Department of Navigation and Oceanography warned that navigation was prohibited in the north-west Black Sea north of 45° 21’ due to activities of the Russian Navy. The navigational warning issued noted that ships and vessels in the prohibited area will be regarded as "terrorist threats".[4]
On 8 March the Ukrainian armed forces stated they had sunk Vasily Bykov, which had attackedSnake Island, near Odesa. Videos posted on social media showed the warship being targeted.[5] However, on March 16 the ship was shown entering Sevastopol with no obvious damage.[6]
On 3 March 2022, while at anchor, the MV Helt struck a free-floating mine in the Black Sea, south of Odesa, Ukraine.[11] The Helt was not carrying any cargo at the time, and according to the Ukrainian military, was forced into a dangerous area of the Black Sea.[12] The six crew onboard all managed to escape and were rescued by Ukrainian authorities.[13]
Drifting mines became a significant danger during the early phases of the invasion, with the NATO Allied Maritime Command issuing warnings about the devices, and their risk to shipping.[14]
On 11 September 2023, Ukrainian military intelligence claimed that special forces had recovered several oil and gas drilling platforms off the Crimean coast that had been occupied and fortified by Russia since 2015. Among the facilities retaken were the Boyko Towers platforms and the 'Tavryda' and 'Syvash' mobile rigs following clashes during which a Russian Su-30 fighter jet, according to Ukrainian sources, tried to sink the assault boats with various weapons. Initially it was shot at with "service weapons" until it was reportedly struck by a Ukrainian MANPAD, damaging it and forcing it to retreat. Ukrainian forces also seized helicopter ammunition and a Neva radar system from the sites.[19]
Also in September 2023, commercial vessels resumed their usage of the Ukrainian port of Odesa without asking permission from Russia – for the first time since the invasion began.[20]
Black Sea Grain Initiative
The Black Sea Grain Initiative was effective from 22 July 2022 to 17 July 2023, and guaranteed the safe passage of grain via ships from certain Ukrainian ports.[21]
Following the end of the period during which the Black Sea Grain Initiative was in effect, the Russian Defence Ministry said that it would deem all ships travelling to Ukraine to be potentially carrying military cargo.[22] In the same statement, Russia declared south-eastern and north-western parts of the Black Sea to be temporarily unsafe for navigation.[23]
The Russian Navy has lost eleven ships and submarines, including the Moskva, the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, with a further five confirmed damaged.[24] The Ukrainian Navy has lost nine ships, with a further one damaged, and seventeen captured.[25]
December 26, 2023, Ukraine's Air Force struck the Novocherkassk, a major Russian landing craft, while docked in Feodosia, southern Crimea. The attack, reportedly by air-launched cruise missiles, caused multiple explosions and fire, hinting that munitions aboard were detonated by the attack (Ukraine said the ship had launched cruise missiles against Ukrainian cities), Russian authorities and media confirmed the attack. Ukraine said the ship was destroyed—unlikely to return to service.[26][27][28] Though Russian authorities did not confirm the ship's loss, they said one person had been killed (other sources indicated more), and said two attacking aircraft were downed. Independent analysts said the damage significantly hampers future Russian attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea coast.[26][27][28]
