Russia is creating a new formation of small warships and a boat brigade to secure the Dnipro waterways and islands, according to the UK’s defence ministry.
Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defence minister, announced the creation of the Dnipro River Flotilla last week.
In its latest intelligence update, the MoD said Russia likely wants to prevent Ukrainian cross river operations, with both sides already suffering significant losses in such exchanges.
“This new formation will likely be responsible for securing the Dnipro waterways and islands that separate Russian and Ukrainian controlled Kherson,” it said.
“It is likely this formation will decouple river patrolling functions from the Black Sea Fleet, whilst the Black Sea Fleet is operating further afield in the eastern Black Sea.”
However, it noted the flotilla will be vulnerable to Ukrainian uncrewed surface vehicles.
Russian navy ships ‘entered Spanish waters’
Russian navy landing ships entered Spanish waters between 21 and 26 March, according the Spanish defence ministry’s general staff (EMAD).
A Russian oil tanker and two “amphibious assault ships” were spotted en route to the eastern Mediterranean by a Spanish patrol boat northwest of the peninsula.
The Spanish vessel, Atalaya, followed the Russian group to the maritime border crossing with Portugal.
Naval presence was reinforced in Spanish waters, EMAD said.
Leave a Reply