Putin’s navy has made a seemingly bizarre move as the latest intelligence from the Ukraine front lines suggests all Russian ships have been removed from the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.
According to intelligence provided by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), there has been no change in the number of Russian vessels in the Mediterranean Sea, sparking questions about where the ships have gone.
Ukraine’s military intelligence report from yesterday (December 22) placed three of Putin’s ships in the Black Sea and one in the Sea of Azov.
In an update today however, the AFU said: “As of 08:00 on 23.12.2023, there are no enemy ships in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Putin’s navy makes sudden retreat from Black Sea as Ukraine left baffled
Flickr/Reuters
“In the Mediterranean Sea 4 enemy ships, among them 2 carriers of cruise missiles ‘Kalibr’, the total salvo of up to 16 missiles.”
The withdrawal is even more baffling given Russia had moved a missile-capable submarine to the Black Sea just two days ago.
Defence Forces in Ukraine urged people not to disregard air raid sirens as they warned missile danger had increased.
Russia currently has full control of the Azov Sea but Ukraine’s fight back in the Black Sea has left Putin reeling after Zmiinyi Island was liberated.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Ukraine military intelligence shows no ships in Black Sea (top line) or Sea of Azov (second line)
AFU
According to Natalia Humeniuk, a spokesperson for the Southern Ukrainian Defense Forces, the Russian fleet is not as active in the Black and Azov Seas as it was last year.
Humeniuk went on to warn that Russia may be waiting for freezing temperatures to intensify operations.
According to the British Met Office, temperatures could drop to as low as -3C on Sunday. It only needs to be -1.8C to begin the freezing of seawater.
Russian president Vladimir PutinGettyMultiple messages that appeared on giant screens told Putin to “quit” while he was giving his annual end-of-year press conference.
While Putin answered phone calls from a number of Russians, some questions submitted via SMS flashed up on screens behind him from journalists and ordinary citizens.
“Don't run for another term as president,” said one.
Another asked: “Why is your 'reality' at odds with our lived reality?”
A third said: “This question won't be shown! I'd like to know, when will our president pay attention to his own country? We've got no education, no healthcare. The abyss lies ahead.”