Ukraine regains control of Boyko Towers in Black Sea
Ukraine regains control of Boyko Towers in Black Sea
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has said that Ukraine has regained control of gas and oil drilling platforms near occupied Crimea, known as the Boyko Towers.
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has said that Ukraine has regained control of gas and oil drilling platforms near occupied Crimea, known as the Boyko Towers.
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Pretty impressive given that Russia should dominate the waters, given that they have their blacksea fleet there and Ukraine has ... like a few boats. When Russia can't even repele an attack at sea, they're really weakening.
Which raises the question of how
In addition to what others have said, Russia’s fleet has been very susceptible to drone attacks. They have gone to great efforts to protect their ships from such attacks, and in doing so it has greatly reduced their ability to quickly move the ships. It’s likely the reason Ukraine has been able to guide cargo ships out of Odessa and into Romanian waters.
Holding the platforms will likely be easier than taking them, because Ukraine can set-up anti-air and anti-ship defenses on the platform. This weaponry probably couldn’t be set-up well on small ships, but the stable platforms should provide good launching points.
ETA: Russia also likely does not want to destroy the platforms, as they are both strategically useful and useful for economic purposes should Russia ever be able to operate them as oil rigs. So, they can’t simply blow them up without giving up something they want.
Since the only enemy besides the guards was apparently a single plane, I'd say Russian intelligence didn't get a whiff of this attack and didn't have more planes or ships in position.
So Russian intelligence failed to see this attack, Ukrainian command managed to keep it under wrap and still bring enough forces to see this through and the operation was swift enough that the Russians couldn't reorganize.
Ukraine picked a battle it could win and did. Not much more to ask for, just well planned, well done.
Similiar to how at the start of the war there were many battles Ukraine couldn't win - so they didn't fight them in the first place. That's strategy.
How can they hold it after this?
Good question, but I assume that's opsec.
Probably again acting according to intelligence. When Russia sails the fleet there they're probably just getting out. If they launch a small-scale attack Ukraine may lay a trap.