Ukraine Claims Significant Damage to Russian Black Sea Fleet Amid Ongoing Conflict

KYIV, June 17, 2024 — Ukrainian naval spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk announced that one-third of Russia's Black Sea Fleet has been destroyed since the start of the war in 2022. Speaking to broadcaster RBC, Pletenchuk detailed that strategic parts of the Black Sea are now free from Russian naval presence. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a "grain corridor" from Odesa ports despite Moscow's efforts to obstruct it.

The conflict began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The sinking of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's flagship, Moskva, within two months, marked a significant loss for Russia. Pletenchuk explained that Ukrainian forces, together with other military assets, have liberated more than 25,000 square kilometers of territory, pushing Russian naval forces south beyond the Dnieper River.

On the naval front, Ukrainian forces have prioritized targeting Russian missile carriers, significantly reducing the threat posed by the Russian fleet. According to Pletenchuk, the remaining Russian naval presence largely consists of submarines, with limited surface fleet operations.

In a broader context, efforts toward a diplomatic resolution remain challenging. An international peace conference held in Switzerland recently concluded with minimal progress, partly due to the absence of Russia and China and the lack of agreement on key issues among attending nations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other leaders continue to seek alignment on peace terms, though substantial differences, particularly regarding territorial claims, persist.

Concurrently, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit North Korea from June 18-19 to strengthen military ties, seeking munitions and other support for the ongoing war in Ukraine. The visit underscores North Korea's increasing strategic importance to Russia amidst the protracted conflict. The two nations, previously Cold War-era allies, have rekindled their relationship over their shared opposition to the United States.

As of June 1, 2024, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russia has suffered approximately 508,780 troop casualties since the invasion began. The war continues to have significant global impacts, particularly in disrupting grain and fertilizer markets and exacerbating geopolitical tensions.