In the Black Sea, conflict erupts between Ukrainian and Russian forces.
Random events of conflict occur sporadically near oil and gas drilling sites in the Black Sea. On a Wednesday morning, this pattern repeated itself as Russia and Ukraine engaged in another bout of hostility. Nevertheless, Moscow and Kyiv offer contradictory narratives regarding the incidents.
As reported by Ukraine's military intelligence, there was an aerial conflict involving a Russian Su-30 fighter jet, which was taken down using a portable defense system during an operation in the Black Sea. Ukrainian authorities refrained from disclosing any additional details concerning the clash that occurred at night. In contrast, Russia's defense ministry announced on the same day an unsuccessful attempt by Ukraine to attack a Russian drilling platform in the Black Sea, utilizing high-speed motorboats. They explained that eight out of 14 boats were destroyed and sent to the bottom of the sea, while the others retreated. However, Moscow remained silent on the apparent destruction of the Russian aircraft. The pro-Russian military blog Rybar, on the other hand, claimed that a Su-30 aircraft was brought down while defending against the Ukrainian attack. According to their sources, the plane took off from the Russian military base located in Saki on the Crimean Peninsula.
Routine skirmishes persist near oil and gas facilities in the northern part of the Black Sea, located between Crimea and the Ukrainian mainland. Primarily, these events allow both parties to utilize the seized facilities for surveillance and reconnaissance purposes. Thanks to the ongoing conflict, Russia has control over a significant portion of the sea, yet international shipping can continue to access Ukrainian ports like Odessa without major hindrances.
The global community condemned the escalating tensions following the reported attack on Ukraine's airspace by a Russian Su-30 fighter jet, which Ukraine claimed to have downed using a portable defense system. This incident adds to the escalating series of clashes between Russia and Ukraine in the disputed territories near the Black Sea.
