The Commander of the Naval Forces of Ukraine, Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, stated that Russia managed to launch a successful offensive from temporarily occupied Crimea in 2022. In an interview with Radio Liberty, he noted that although the enemy attacked from different directions, it is the breakthrough from the south that deserves special attention and analysis.
According to Neizhpapa, the invasion from Crimea cannot be considered exceptional - Russian troops also moved from Chernihiv region, Kyiv region, Belarus, Donetsk region. However, the fact that Russia was able to advance from the south raises questions.
"The enemy was preparing for this war and was coming from different directions... It's just that he managed to do it this way, that needs to be figured out," he said.
Russia's Maritime Direction and Strategy
The Navy Commander emphasized that Russia has been intensively preparing for the maritime direction for years. The Black Sea Fleet has been significantly modernized - new frigates, Kalibr cruise missile carriers, and submarines have been introduced into its composition.
"The enemy has focused all its attention on the Black Sea Fleet," Neizhpapa emphasized.
According to the vice admiral, Moscow viewed the Black Sea Fleet not only as a tool for influencing Ukraine, but also as a base for projecting power in the Mediterranean. Because of this, since 2014, Russia has been actively using "Syrian Expresses" - regular sea deliveries of equipment and weapons to Syria via the Black Sea.
The Black Sea as a bridgehead for global pressure
Neizhpapa believes that control of the Black Sea is a strategic objective for the Kremlin. This allows Russia to influence the situation on the southern flank of Europe, keep NATO under pressure, and strengthen its positions in the Middle East.
Thus, the offensive from Crimea is just one manifestation of a long-term strategy that includes not only military actions, but also Russia's geopolitical ambitions.
