British Defence Intelligence: Ukrainian Forces Fight For Strategically Important Platforms In The Black Sea

Clashes are going on between the Ukrainian Navy and the aircraft of the occupiers.

The Ukrainian Navy is fighting with the aircraft of the occupiers around the strategically important gas and oil platforms in the Black Sea between Crimea and Odesa.

Last week, a Russian combat jet shot at a Ukrainian military small boat operating near a platform in the northwest of the sea, the British Defence Intelligence said.

The platforms are operated by the Chernomorneftegaz company, which was seized by the pro-Russian occupation authorities in Crimea during the 2014 annexation.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has struck several Russian-controlled platforms. Both Russia and Ukraine have also periodically occupied them with troops.

“The platforms command valuable hydrocarbon resources. However, like Snake Island to the west, they can also be used as forward deployment bases, helicopter landing sites, and to position long-range missile systems,” the report reads.