Ukraine: Russia doubled number of ships in Black Sea, strikes possible
Ukraine’s biggest national flag on the country’s highest flagpole is seen at a compound of the World War II museum in Kyiv, Ukraine, December 16, 2021. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Ukraine’s military said Russia had doubled the number of ships on active duty in the Black Sea on Friday and predicted this could be a preparation for more missile strikes.
Russia’s navy has regularly launched missiles from its Black Sea Fleet as part of an effort by Moscow to target Ukrainian critical infrastructure and power-generating facilities.
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“In the Black Sea, the fleet of warships has doubled compared to this morning – it is now eight ships,” the military command in the southern region said in a Facebook update.
“Against a background of enemy aviation activity of a certain kind, this may indicate that a missile attack, as well as drone strikes, are in preparation,” it said.
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One of the vessels is a frigate armed with eight Kalibr missiles, it said. Last Saturday Ukraine said Russia launched four Kalibr missiles from the Black Sea, two of which were shot down.
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is based in the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014.
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