LONDON, – A British assessment of the alleged Ukrainian attack on oil depots near the Russian port of Novorossiysk shows that Russia’s Black Sea Fleet was vulnerable to attack from kyiv.
The British Ministry of Defense referred to Russian and Ukrainian media in its daily intelligence update on Tuesday that an “attack” occurred on November 18 at an oil terminal near the Russian naval base.
The ministry however said that “full details of this incident have not yet been released. However, any demonstration of a Ukrainian capability to threaten Novorssiysk would most likely present an additional strategic challenge for the (Black Sea Fleet).
“It would also further undermine Russia’s already diminished maritime influence in the Black Sea,” London added.
Media had reported that a Ukrainian drone had probably attacked a terminal of the oil company Transneft on the night of November 17 to 18. The company denied the reports.
After Ukraine attacked the Russian base at Sevastopol on the annexed Crimean Peninsula, the Russian Navy moved several submarines to Novorossiysk.
The fact that this port is now also accessible to Ukrainians also poses a threat to the Russian landing ships stationed there, it was further clarified in London.
These vessels have played a bigger role in supplying Russian forces in Ukraine since the damage to the land bridge over the Kerch Strait between the Russian mainland and Crimea in October.
Since the start of the Russian war against Ukraine in late February, the UK Ministry of Defense has been issuing daily intelligence updates on the course of the war to counter the Russian narrative.
Moscow accuses London of a targeted disinformation campaign. (Afp/NAN)
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