Ukraine must ‘regain control’ of its ‘vital artery’ in the Black Sea, warns expert | World | News
Ukraine must continue delivering significant blows to Russian forces in the Black Sea as the region proves vital for its survival, warns an expert.
Dr. Leon Hartwell, an expert in conflict resolution and diplomacy, stressed the importance of the Black Sea as not only a crucial arena for conflict, but for the viability of Ukraine‘s economy also.
Ukrainian forces have recently unloaded a barrage of brutal attacks on the Russian Navy, specifically in the Black Sea. A senior Ukrainian security official said in December that it had already destroyed 20% of the Vladimir Putin‘s prized Black Sea Fleet.
These embarrassing losses at the hands of a country with such a small navy prompted Putin to fire his navy’s commander-in-chief as he appears to be rethinking his war plan.
As tensions continue, Dr. Hartwell, Senior Associate at LSE IDEAS, reiterated the importance of the Black Sea as a “crucial theater for defense and offense”.
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He told the Daily Express: “For Ukraine, the Black Sea is not just a body of water but a crucial theater for defense and offense. Its coastal expanse serves as a vital artery for both trade and military operations.
“Throughout the ongoing war, Russian dominance in these waters posed a formidable challenge, enabling the Kremlin to impose naval blockades that disrupted Ukraine‘s trade routes and compromised its energy security.”
Before the war begam, almost 50 percent of Ukraine‘s exports went through the largest Black Sea port of Odesa, giving it access to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
However, since the invasion, much of this trade has been shifted to routes that go via land through the EU, significantly diminishing the country’s profits which could have otherwise been used to fund its war effort.
On top of this, the region provides Ukraine with offshore oil and gas reserves, which have also been largely impacted since the war broke out. Reclaiming the Black Sea would also mean reclaiming these reserves and trade routes.
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Dr. Hartwell explained: “Regaining control of its Black Sea territories enhances Ukraine‘s ability to defend itself and deprive Russia of strategic military and economic advantages.
“Specifically, the more control Ukraine has in the Black Sea, the more it is able to deprive Russia of opportunities for amphibious assaults and operations along the Ukrainian coastline.”
Ukraine‘s relentless strikes have left Russia with only five remaining landing ships in the Black Sea, on top of the 25 military vessels and ships it has also destroyed.
Dr. Hartwell concluded: “Recent developments indicate Russia‘s reluctance to navigate the Black Sea due to the risk of losing more military hardware to Ukraine.
“From a political perspective, Ukraine‘s success against all odds may prompt increased support from Western allies, recognizing its capability to defeat Russian occupiers.”