Cyclone.

This is coolbert:

"Overall, the Russian Black Sea Fleet has faced significant challenges and losses in Ukraine, with many of its warships being destroyed or damaged. Ukraine’s use of drones and missile systems has been particularly effective in targeting Russian naval assets." - AI generated.

The anger of Vlad waxes exceedingly hot! More bad news!

"SHIP SUNK Huge blow for Putin as Russia’s only remaining missile cruiser in Black Sea ‘The Zyklon’ is destroyed by Ukraine"

 From https://www.thesun.co.uk |  Paul Sims | 24 May 2024 |  https://tinyurl.com/nhzdt97k

"The cruiser's sinking is part of Ukraine’s ongoing campaign targeting the Russian Black Sea Fleet"

"PUTIN’S newest and only remaining missile cruiser in the Black Sea was destroyed by Ukraine forces in a huge blow to his naval forces."

"The 'Zyklon' was destroyed alongside the 266-M minesweeper, Kovrovets, in a devastating strike at the weekend." Read further the attack on the Kovrovets.   https://tinyurl.com/rayx244n

Attack by American ATACMS a possible. Long-range rocket artillery.

ZYKLON DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT A YEAR AFTER BEING COMMISSIONED AND DEEMED OPERATIONALLY READY! 

coolbert.

Kommuna.

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Once again Russian naval disaster the Black Sea. The Ukrainian send another Russian naval vessel to the bottom!

"ANCIENT HULK Ukrainian missile blasts Putin’s 112-year-old warship that survived both World Wars & is as old as Titanic"

From https://www.thesun.co.uk | Ellie Doughty | Foreign News Reporter | 21 Apr 2024.

"A UKRAINIAN missile struck Putin's oldest naval vessel in a massive blow to Russia's forces in Crimea."

Not merely Putin's oldest naval vessel. The oldest naval vessel period still in service.

Salvage vessel final duty completed. 

"Footage showed flames and smoke billowing out from the 112-year-old warship in the occupied port of Sevastopol this morning."

See previous blog entry the Kommuna!

coolbert:

BDK-64

 This is coolbert:

"The Ukrainian Armed Forces, together with the Defense Ministry's intelligence unit, destroyed the Tsezar Kunikov [BDK-64] large landing ship. It was in Ukraine's territorial waters near Alupka at the time of the hit,"

Yet MORE disaster the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Another major warship gone to the bottom. Ukrainian swarm [?] unmanned surface vessel [USV] attack successful. 

"Ukraine says it sank Russian large landing warship in Black Sea"

From https://www.reuters.com | By Tom Balmforth and Pavel Polityuk | February 14, 2024.

"KYIV, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Ukraine destroyed a Russian landing warship off the coast of occupied Crimea in an operation with naval drones that breached the vessel's port side on Wednesday and caused it to sink, Kyiv's military spy agency and armed forces said."

"There was no immediate comment from Russia, which said earlier that it had destroyed six drones in the Black Sea. The Kremlin declined to comment."

This is Jeune École in action. Young School. French Nineteenth Century naval asymmetric naval warfare concept never coming to full attainment until now!

"The Jeune École ('Young School') was a strategic naval concept developed during the 19th century. It advocated the use of small, heavily armed vessels to combat larger battleships"

Torpedo boats the Nineteenth Century! The threat a drone USV today!

See previous blog entry the recent attack Russian missile gunboat:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2024/02/12411.html

coolbert.

Implicated.

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From the bulgarianmilitary.com Internet website some further information regarding the recent sinking of the Russian missile gun boat. 

American P-8 naval warplane Poseidon providing intelligent/reconnaissance and targeting information to the Ukrainian their attack upon the Russian missile gun boat?

Russian missile gunboat doomed, and thanks in large measure to American naval aviation assets the Black Sea?

"US P-8 implicated in latest strike against Russian missile boat"

From https://bulgarianmilitary.com | By Boyko Nikolov On Feb 2, 2024.

"The recent attack launched by a cluster of Ukrainian kamikaze drones led to the sinking of a Russian missile warship named Ivanovets from the Black Sea Fleet. Tragically, all 44 crew members on board went down with the ship. Some speculate that US P-8A Poseidon technology may have aided the Ukrainian side in this operation."

"On February 1st, the Ukrainian Armed Forces retaliated by targeting the Russian Black Sea Fleet. They accomplished this through a battalion of naval drones flying over Lake Donuzlav in Crimea. Impressively, one of these drones managed to overcome the ship’s defense mechanisms, leading to a massive explosion after it struck the port side."

Clarification here:  Russian missile gun boat attacked not by flying drones, but by unmanned surface vessels of the Ukrainian Navy. Kamikaze USV surface vessels, explosive boats.

See from the H. I. Sutton Covert Shores Internet website that entire listing/inventory of Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels the Ukraine Conflict.

See also the H. I. Sutton Internet website another entry devoted to explosive boats of the unmanned surface vessel category.

See yet more the embedded video from the bulgarianmilitary.com website of the sinking of the Russian missile gun boat. Fairly decent resolution that ship never having as chance. Total loss 44 sailors perishing. All hands lost!

Hardly also the first time P-8 warplane implicated in combat naval action the Black Sea. 

coolbert.

12411.

This is coolbert:

Continuing disaster, the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Yet one more Russian Black Sea Fleet naval vessel goes to the bottom with almost total loss of life, the Ukraine conflict

A missile gunboat of the Guided Missile Corvette "Ivanovets" Project 12411 / Tarantul-III class sunk by an unmanned Ukrainian kamikaze boat.

"IN THE DRINK Dramatic moment £55m Putin warship with 50 sailors is blown up & ‘SUNK’ by Ukrainian kamikaze drone boats in major scalp"

"It comes after a crucial Russian spy plane was shot down - and the sinking of the Moskva warship"

 From https://www.thesun.co.uk | Jessica Baker & Will Stewart | 1 Feb 2024.

"UKRAINE is claiming to have sunk another Russian warship - with 50 sailors on board - using kamikaze sea drones."

"Footage shared today by Ukraine's ministry of defense showed the dramatic moment its boats sped toward Vladimir Putin's £55million Black Sea missile ship 'Ivanovets' and sent it up in flames"

I must admit this Russian missile gun boat has some significant fire power. Carries four Mosquito anti-ship missile’s. Those things have a range rover 100 miles and can engage a target at long-distance well over the horizon.

"The P-270 Moskit [Mosquito] is a Soviet supersonic ramjet powered anti-ship cruise missile. Its GRAU designation is 3M80, air launched variant is the Kh-41 and its NATO reporting name is SS-N-22 Sunburn"

It seems rather the Mosquito biting the enemy, the Russian missile gun boat has been bitten!

coolbert.

Unwavering.

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More on the British minesweepers that have been donated to the Ukrainian. Passage through the Hellespont/Dardanelles/Bosphorus denied!

“Our relevant allies have been informed that the mine hunting ships donated to Ukraine by the United Kingdom will not be allowed to pass through the Turkish Straits to the Black Sea as long as the war continues,” - the Turkish presidency’s communications directorate.

"NATO state won't let UK send minesweepers to Ukraine"

"Citing international law, Türkiye has said it will block the vessels from entering the Black Sea"

From https://www.rt.com/news |  2 Jan, 2024.

As a strong as suspected, this all has to do with the Montreux treaty convention of 1936!

"The Turkish government said on Tuesday that it will not allow minesweeping vessels that the UK has pledged to donate to Ukraine to enter the Black Sea. Ankara, which controls the straits linking the Black Sea with the Mediterranean, shut down access to foreign warships when the conflict in Ukraine began in 2022."

"British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps announced last month that the UK would hand over two Royal Navy mine-hunting ships to Ukraine. Shapps claimed that by clearing Russian mines, the craft would make it easier for Ukraine to conduct naval operations against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, while clearing export routes to bolster the country’s battered economy."

[....]

"Türkiye 'has been implementing the Montreux Convention impartially and meticulously since 1936,' the statement continued, adding that it will maintain this 'unwavering determination and principled attitude throughout this war.'”

The only alternative at this point is for Bulgaria and Romania to donate their own minesweepers to Ukrainian?

coolbert.

Blocked.

This is coolbert:

NATO versus NATO? The ancient waterway of the Hellespont/Dardanelles/Bosphorus a naval blocking chokepoint.

"Turkey blocks Royal Navy ships sent to Ukraine as NATO falls apart"

From Express UK ^ | January 2, 2024 | Hannah Kane, Liam Doyle.

"Turkey has vowed to block two British Royal Navy ships intended for Ukraine to pass through its waters. Last month, Britain said it would transfer the two minehunter ships to the Ukrainian navy to help bolster its sea operations in its war with Russia. However, the Turkish presidency's communications directorate has now said it will not let the vessels through its Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits."

This is an issue of the Montreaux Convention of 1938? British mine hunting/clearing war ships as intended for delivery to the Ukrainian being barred from entry into the Black Sea

According to the Montreux Convention of 1938 military vessels of nations without a border on the Black Sea, can remain within the confines of the Black Sea for a maximum of 21 days. Barely transferring the ships to Ukrainian naval control does not meet the exacting requirements of the Montreux Convention?

The NATO nations of Bulgaria and Romania can indeed transfer vessels that are mine hunting/clearing war ships to the Ukrainian, and do so in a legal manner not contravening the Montreaux Convention of 1938? Of this I am not sure.

coolbert.

Novocherkassk.

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Christmas present for the Ukrainian people courtesy the Ukrainian, Air Force. A Ukrainian Air Force launched cruise missile, sending to the bottom the Russian landing warship Novocherkassk.

Russian naval landing warship Novocherkassk has gone to the bottom? Previously damaged in combat now seems to be a total loss. Cruise missile attack setting off secondary explosions responsible for the sinking.

"Ukrainian Air Force Destroys Russian Landing Ship in Major Strategic Blow"

From BNN ^ | 12/25/2023 | BNN | 

"In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the Ukrainian Air Force successfully targeted and destroyed the Russian landing ship Novocherkassk. The military action took place in the early hours of December 26, in the port of Feodosia, located in the occupied territory of Crimea. The event was announced by the Ukrainian Air Force Commander, Mykola Oleshchuk, and signifies a strategic blow to the Russian military’s capabilities in the region."

Secondary explosions of onboard military ordinance bang-stuff seems to have caused the eventual sinking in destruction of the worship, but this has neither been confirmed, nor denied. That ship was being used to store heavy war making-making.

Personally, I am dubious that this warship sinking has a whole lot of strategic value. The Black Sea military adventures of the Russian and Ukrainian seem to be no more than a sideshow. The real war will be decided on the ground and I don’t see this to be anything more than a good news item for Ukrainian during a time of relative woe

coolbert.

Askold.

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Damaged. Not salvageable. Beyond repair. Gone. 

Russian warship damaged the Ukraine Conflict. Not have even been commissioned or made a single operational patrol!

"Russia ‘unable to repair missile ship Askold’ after precision missile strike by Ukraine"

From Ukrainian © The New Voice.

"'There is nothing to repair there,' the Krymsky Veter (Crimean Wind) Telegram channel said in a report on Dec. 8, quoting one of its sources."

"The Askold was originally slated for commissioning into the Russian Black Sea Fleet in December 2023."

Askold damaged during an attack 4 November 2023. I do not remember this being reported. Askold a Karakurt-class corvette missile boat.

From the wiki entry the Askold:

"Ukrainian forces targeted the Zalyv shipyard with cruise missiles on 4 November 2023. Russian forces stated that a ship was hit. Subsequent imagery appeared to show Askold had been badly damaged.The brand new ship was probably hit by a SCALP-EG air-launched cruise missile launched from a Sukhoi Su-24 and may be damaged beyond repair."

Think too within the historical context the Swedish warship Vasa and the American submarine USS Guitarro. Naval vessels foundering and going to the bottom in a calamitous fashion, not even before completing a single operational mission.

coolbert.

Willy.

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Free Willy Russian style!

Terrible storm the Black Sea! Russian naval commando dolphins released from their "holding" pens as a consequence.

"Free Willy: Russian Navy Trained Dolphins Hit By Storm"

From http://www.hisutton.com | 28 November 2023 | the article by H I Sutton.

"A massive storm battered Crimea on the November 27. Preliminary analysis of the damage done to Russian defenses reveals that the dolphin pens in Sevastopol harbor are gone as a result. They may have been sunk or washed away. It is plausible that some or all of the trained dolphins have been freed."

Trained aquatic mammals highly intelligent teachable and relatively docile a huge investment I might think. Trained to perform military tasks at depths in the ocean too dangerous for a human diver!

Outcome of release from captivity however might be dire!

"It should be remembered that if the dolphins are indeed free they have been raised in captivity. It can be expected that they were reliant on their human trainers for food and may be unable to fend for themselves. Escape may thus be a death warrant."

Willy come home! Now! And thank you H. I. Sutton.

coolbert.

Ulltimatum!

This is coolbert:

Black Sea again the Ukraine Conflict a side-show and nothing more. Or is it?

Missile strike the Russian naval headquarters Crimea doing great damage as is reported.

"Video: SCALP cruise missile 'tears in two' the headquarters of the Russian Fleet in Sevastopol - Fury in Moscow: 'It's time for an ultimatum to the West'"

From https://warnews247-gr. | 22/09/2023.

"Another video of today's Ukrainian attack against the Headquarters of the Russian Fleet in Sevastopol was made public."

[....]

"Russian sources are talking about two SCALP missions [missiles] and not Storm Shadow."

Understand the SCALP [French] and Storm Shadow [English] basically one and the same missile.

"It is a given that the number of casualties will increase for the Russians. The building has been torn apart as the rockets penetrated several floors. The fire was burning until a while ago."

"The Ukrainians report that Admiral Viktor Sokolov, Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, was killed but this information is not confirmed."

Further from a tweet by Victor and thanks to same:

Victor vicktop55

@vicktop55

"An evacuation was announced at the Black Sea Fleet headquarters at the time of the missile strike.  The main personnel and civil servants were withdrawn.  A conscript from the guard died."  

"In Sevastopol, after the missile attack, judging by the video, smoke screens were put up"

Russians understandably so IRATE. Warning in the form of an ULTIMATUM will be given to the NATO alliance. Cease giving the Ukrainian these "deep strike" weapons.

coolbert.

Blunder.

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Alert Sebastopol! Damage done. Russian naval assets the Black Sea once more hurt.

British Storm Shadow missiles to blame?

1. "Kiev uses British missiles Storm Shadow to attack Sevastopol shipyard — Sky News"

From https://tass.com | Russian controlled Internet media TASS.

"As the Russian Defense Ministry said earlier, Ukraine’s ten cruise missiles attacked a shipyard in Sevastopol at night. Seven were intercepted by air defense systems"

"LONDON, September 13. /TASS/. British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles were used by Ukraine in an attack on the Ordzhonikidze shipyard in Sevastopol, the Sky News TV channel said with reference to Western and Ukrainian officials."

Evidently two Russian warships in DRYDOCK hit and damaged by ensuing fire. One submarine and one surface vessel.

According to the Ukrainian the Crimea not an integral part of Russia proper. Crimea illegally occupied by Russian military forces. Attacking the Russian military Crimea seen as fair game by the Ukrainian.

2. "Russian Ships Damaged in Sevastopol Missile Attack to Be Repaired"

From Sputnik International | 13.09.2023.

"MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Two Russian navy ships damaged in a Ukrainian missile attack on Sevastopol on Wednesday will be fully repaired, the Defense Ministry said. [Russian MoD]"

"'Two naval vessels, which were damaged by a missile attack of the Kiev regime on 13 September, undergoing scheduled repairs at the ship repair plant named after S. Ordzhonikidze in Sevastopol, will be fully restored and will continue their combat service as part of their fleets,' the ministry said in a statement.

See additionally the recent capture of the Boyko Towers by Ukrainian military. Vital [how vital I am not sure] infrastructure the Black Sea now denied to the Russian. More egg on face the Russian.

"egg on one's face: means appearing foolish, usually because something one said would happen has not happened. It implies making an embarrassing error or blunder"

Comrade Russian, what is happening?

coolbert.

Novorossisvk.

This is coolbert:

The sideshow continues. Naval warfare the Ukraine Conflict.

Ukrainian naval combat kamikaze drones in action again. Damage uncertain. That attacks did occur more definite.

Courtesy the tips from Freeper in all cases.

1. "Russian warship seen listing in Black Sea after Ukrainian sea drone attack on base"

From CNN.com ^ | August 4, 2023 | Tim Lister, Victoria Butenko and Olga Voitovych

"Ukraine said it had carried out a sea drone attack on a Russian naval base, as dramatic videos appeared to show a damaged Russian warship listing heavily in the Black Sea early Friday. Social media images showed the ship being towed near the Novorossiysk naval base, despite earlier claims by the Russian defense ministry that the attack had been repelled. A Ukrainian source told CNN that a sea drone with 450 kilograms [about 1,000 pounds] of TNT had attacked the ship and claimed there were about 100 Russian servicemen aboard."

"list: VERB TRANSITIVE, VERB INTRANSITIVE - 1.  to tilt to one side, as a ship"

2. "4 August.2023 Russia says thwarted Ukraine attacks on Black Sea naval base, Novorossisyk {Russian mainland}"

From South China morning post ^ | 4 August 2023.

"Russian vessels destroyed two sea drones approaching naval base in Novorossiysk What is special about the latest incident is that it took place at a Russian mainland [naval base] . . . The number of attacks in the sea has increased from both sides since Moscow exited a deal last month that had allowed Ukrainian grain exports via the shipping hub during the conflict between the two countries."

3. "Ukrainian sea drone attack at port of Novorossiysk damaged Russian naval vessel"

From Alarabiya News ^ | 8/4/2023 | story via Reuters.

"Ukraine damaged a Russian naval vessel during a sea drone attack at the Russian port of Novorossiysk that was conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Navy on Friday, a Ukrainian intelligence source said. 'As a result of the attack, the Olenegorsky Gornyak received a serious breach and currently cannot conduct its combat missions'"

Several key points here:

* To describe the naval war the Black Sea as a sideshow is being too harsh? Especially within context of both sides in the Ukraine conflict have withdrawn from the Black Sea Grain Initiative [BSGI].

* Correct also that the attacks occurred the Russian naval base Novorossiysk and not Sebastopol the Crimea. Nowhere now is the Russian navy having privileged sanctuary. 

An attack of this sort consider to be a perfect example of naval asymmetric warfare. I can expect the anger of Vlad Putin to wax exceedingly hot. 

coolbert.

Enforcement.

This is coolbert:

Russian naval blockade the Black Sea now being implemented? 

"Ways Russia Could Attack Merchant Ships If Black Sea Grain Initiative [BSGI] Ends"

(Alternative Title: How Russia Could Torpedo The Grain Deal)

From http://www.hisutton.com "Covert Shores" Internet web site and thanks to same.

"From the first day of its 2022 invasion, Russia enforced a blockade of Ukrainian ports. Several merchant ships were attacked, likely by Russian forces. This was accompanied by a warning (read ‘threat’) to shipping that Russia could not guarantee the safety in the northern Black Sea. The blockade was never legally established but was, in practice, absolute."

[....]

"Starting in July 2022, the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) allows the export of grain from the Black Sea. This is important to the world, and to the economies of Ukraine and Russia. The latest iteration of the deal is set to expire on July 18."

"Whether the deal will be renewed is subject of speculation. It is a complex political topic which I will leave to others. However, one question which comes up is what Russia could do to reduce or prevent grain shipments from Ukraine if the deal collapses?"

Devoted readers to the blog are invited to read the rest of the H. I. Sutton article. Various means and methods fair and foul can be resorted to by the Russian that grain deal as it stands right now can rightfully be seen as "dead in the water".

coolbert.

3M-54 Kalibr.

This is coolbert:

I am not sure if there's any significance to any of this. It may well be that the Russian has expended every last single caliber missile that was on a Surface vessel in the Black Sea or environs thereof. 

"Russia removed all ships with 'Kalibr' missiles from the Black Sea"

From the Internet website "Ukrainian Truth" | Ukrayinska Pravda December 11, 2022.

As of the morning of 11 December, Russia has not deployed a single Kalibr cruise missile carrier ship in the Black Sea.

Source: Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Quote from the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: "As of 11 December,  there are eight enemy ships on combat duty in the Black Sea; in the Azov Sea, the enemy continues to control sea communications, keeping two ships on combat duty."

Details: It is reported that nine Russian ships, including five carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles with a total salvo of 76 missiles, are in the Mediterranean Sea.

As is noted a number of Russian warships in the Mediterranean have a Kalibr missile capability but this would require them to fire their missiles from a standoff distance at long range against Ukrainian targets. And missiles over-flying NATO nations airspace in the process. Presumably such a violation of NATO airspace would be forbidden?

The Turk also during the time of the Ukrainian conflict will not allow Russian warships to transit from the Mediterranean into the Black Sea. Surface vessel reinforcement of the Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet with Kalibr missile firing capability is not possible. Or have these caliber missiles been fitted into submarines I cannot say with any degree of authority.

coolbert.

Guaranteed.

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"We have clear guarantees from Ukraine that there will be no more attacks like that, which would, among other things, involve infrastructure and corridors related to grain exports," 

Ukrainian combat action the Black Sea to be curtailed in the aftermath of the recent USV attack?

ONLY if such attacks refrain from action against grain export infrastructure?

It does seem that the Ukrainian USV attack was indeed a case of little flea having big bite!

Courtesy the Russian controlled [?] media outlet TASS.

"Ukraine vows no more attacks in Black Sea — Russian diplomat"

"Earlier, it was reported that Russia was returning to the grain deal after having received guarantees from Kiev that it would not use the grain corridor to carry out military activities against Moscow"

"MOSCOW, November 2. /TASS/. Kiev provided Moscow with explicit guarantees that there will be no more attacks involving grain export infrastructure in the Black Sea, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told reporters on Wednesday."

Flow of Ukrainian grain to the international markets via the Black Sea will continue and this can be only seen as a good sign.

coolbert.

HS2.

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"What makes the Black Sea unique is the high level of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the water, being the world's largest natural reservoir of the chemical compound."

"The gas - which smells like rotten eggs - is toxic to humans and animals when inhaled and in high doses can cause death."

Atomic detonation Russia the Black Sea? A show-of-force?

"A show of force is a military operation intended to warn (such as a warning shot) or to intimidate an opponent by showcasing a capability or will to act if one is provoked."

"GAS PANIC Putin blowing up nuke in Black Sea would release killer poisonous gas cloud & trigger tsunamis, warns top professor"

From www.the-sun.com the article by Henry Holloway Oct 7 2022.

"RUSSIA detonating a nuclear bomb in the Black Sea could trigger a killer toxic gas cloud and six and a half foot [slightly more than two meter] high tsunamis, it has been warned."

"Nato is watching closely as the world sits on the brink of a nuclear crisis - with US President Joe Biden comparing the situation to the heights of the Cold War."

"Professor Viorel Badescu, a physicist and engineer the University of Bucharest, penned a paper a number of years ago warning of impacts of a nuclear explosion in the Black Sea."

"And he spoke to The Sun Online as he laid out 'through the eyes of a scientist' the potentially horrifying consequences - including tsunamis and a cloud of toxic gas being released from the sea."

"Prof Badescu said he doesn't see the logic of Russia opting for the sea as a testing range - and was highly skeptical over whether Putin would use such a strategy for such a show of force."

An underwater detonation of a Russian nuclear munition the Black sea will 1. Create a spew of radioactive water WITH additionally 2. A lethal gas [HS2] injurious to all who breathe it.

See from the article all the very good and interesting graphics as well!

coolbert.

Corridor.

This is coolbert:

We are saved after all! World hunger and mass starvation on a cataclysmic level averted!

Vital shipments of grain from Ukrainian port facilities has resumed.

Commercial vessels moving to-and-fro the Black Sea final destination world-wide.

GOOD NEWS STORY UKRAINE!

"43 ships have already passed through "grain corridor" - Turkish Ministry of Defense"

From censor.net/en/news ^ | 18.08.22 | Staff | tip from Freeper.

"43 ships have already passed through 'grain corridor' - Turkish Ministry of Defense News Censor.NET War in Ukraine. Since August 1, 43 ships have passed through the 'grain corridors': 25 of them left Ukrainian ports, 18 - entered. A total of 622 thousand tons of grain have been exported. This was reported by the Ministry of National Defense of Turkey, reports Censor.NЕТ with reference to Ukrinform. 'Since August 1, 43 ships have departed, 25 of which have left Ukrainian ports. For shipment of grain 18 vessels entered Ukrainian ports.'"

Let us hope the "grain corridors" hold and negative interference the shipments. Alleviate the threat of world hunger and food shortages and prevent calamity potentially of an epic scale.

coolbert.

Focus.

This is coolbert:

Here with some items, extracts from the H I Sutton Internet web site "Covert Shores". All thanks to H I Sutton.

Black Sea ferment, the Ukraine Conflict.

1. "OSINT: Unusual Mini-Submarine Seen In Sevastopol, Black Sea"

12 July 2022.

"Unusual Mini-Submarine Seen In Sevastopol, Black Sea"

"A major naval base supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sevastopol in Crimea is a hive of submarine activity. Several Improved-KILO class submarines are operating from there, firing cruise missiles into Ukraine. And the unique pumpjet equipped KILO, Alrosa, is undergoing sea trials. But there is another submarine which has caught my eye."

"ND Marine". But you need to read the entire article.

2. "Russian Navy Also Deployed Trained Dolphins To Novorossiysk In Black Sea"

17 July 2022.

"The revelation, based on analysis of open sources, that the Russia has deployed dolphins to guard Sevastopol, brought [military] marine mammal programs into focus. As part of the research into this I also discovered that the dolphins have previously been deployed to Novorossiysk."

"The likely training deployment can now be looked at as part of wider preparations for the invasion of Ukraine. I do not believe that this has previously been reported."

Johnny-on-the-spot military dolphins Black Sea their mission what exactly hardly clear.

"John·​ny-on-the-spot : a person who is on hand and ready to perform a service or respond to an emergency"

3. "OSINT: Indications That Russian Navy Has Shifted Focus In Black Sea"

16 July 2022.

"Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) increasingly suggests that key elements of the Russian Navy have changed their patrol areas. Remaining warships, notably the Project 11356R Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, are patrolling off the southern tip of Crimea."

"One theory is that this is to protect the Kerch Bridge.

Indeed. An attack on the Kerch Strait bridge according to the Russian is taken very seriously. See previous blog entries as regarding same:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/07/medvedev.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/07/most.html

coolbert.

Sebastopol.

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Crimea the Russian navy Black Sea HQ attacked! 

Sounds like insurgents/partisans/guerrillas. Drone dropping a minor amount of injurious munitions but not so excessively so.

1. "Ukraine attacks Russian Black Sea Fleet HQ: authorities"

From yahoo.com July 31, 2022.

"STORY: Ukrainian forces struck the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Russian-held Sevastopol early on Sunday (July 31)."

"That's according to the Crimean port city's governor.

2. "Russia claims five injured in Ukraine drone attack on Black Sea fleet HQ"

From the online edition of the British "The Guardian".

"Ukraine does not confirm involvement in Sevastopol attack, while Russia cancels Navy Day events"

"A Russian navy ship docked in Sevastopol, Crimea, in the Black Sea. Russian officials say a Ukrainian drone has struck the headquarters of its Black Sea fleet.

Recall that Crimea prior to 2014 was an integral part of Ukraine. The annexation of Crimea and incorporation of the area into Russia has not been acknowledged by Kiev as a legitimate and lawful action. An attack of Russian interests Crimea is NOT SEEN in Kiev as an attack on Russian sovereign territory.

coolbert.