Russia cannot cut Ukraine off from the sea — Ukrainian Navy

Despite Russia’s threats to “cut off” Ukraine from the Black Sea, the enemy is no longer capable of restoring the level of control it had in 2023, when it attempted to intimidate commercial vessels. Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk stated this during a national TV broadcast, LIGA.net reports.

According to him, Russia failed to approach Ukraine’s coastline even in 2022 — and has even fewer capabilities now.

“If they couldn’t achieve this in 2022, when they had at least five more large landing ships, why would it be possible today? Especially since our coastal defense systems have significantly improved — in particular, the Neptunes, which are already ‘sending greetings’ to Russia’s strategic aviation in Taganrog,” Pletenchuk noted.

He added that such statements about “cutting Ukraine off from the sea” are typical rhetorical tactics of the Russian leadership. Natural water barriers — including the Dnipro River, the Southern Bug, and the Tylihul estuary — also significantly limit Russia’s ability to operate in the south.

“So to say they now have the capability to go to sea and return to the situation of 2023, when they blocked areas and disrupted civilian shipping — at the moment, probably not,” he emphasized.