Russia's tough response to the threat of attack on the Black Sea Fleet

A Russian warship in the Black Sea (Photo: NYT).

In comments made on April 11, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov warned that the country's military was prepared to deliver "a surprise" to the Black Sea Fleet and Russian forces in Crimea.

"We will give the enemy another surprise at sea. It could be an explosion attached to their warships. We are just waiting for the right moment to repeat history," said Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov.

In response to the above comments of the Ukrainian Defense Minister, Mr. Sergei Aksyonov, head of the Crimean government, gave extremely strong reactions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Crimean leader Sergei Aksyonov (Photo: Reuters).

Mr. Aksyonov declared that all plans to attack Russian forces stationed in Crimea would be repelled. The Russian military in this peninsula has built many "modern and deep" defense lines. In addition, Mr. Aksyonov affirmed that the number of Russian troops and military equipment in Crimea is "more than capable" of defeating any attack from Ukraine.

"We will not underestimate the enemy. However, I am sure that we are ready to repel all the enemy's attack plans. They will not become a disaster for the Russian army in Crimea," Mr. Aksyonov emphasized.

Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014 after a referendum. After annexing Crimea, Russia invested in building infrastructure such as roads and bridges and electricity grids, and deployed many military equipment there, turning Crimea into a military logistics center for Russian forces.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly vowed to regain control of the strategic Black Sea region of Crimea. In a speech in late 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that the conflict that began in Crimea will end in Crimea, implying that Kiev will do everything it can to regain control of the peninsula from Russia.

On March 24, at least three Ukrainian suicide boats launched an attack on the Black Sea Fleet base at the port of Sevastopol in Crimea. However, the attack was stopped and did not cause damage to Russian warships.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/phan-ung-cung-ran-cua-nga-truoc-nguy-co-ham-doi-bien-den-bi-tan-cong-20230412115119421.htm