Invaders in anticipation: lurking right from the shore, a threatening armada of Russian naval troops is ready to attack Odessa
Russian assault ships attacked Odessa from the Black Sea last night, raising fears that the Ukrainian port is Vladimir Putinis the next goal.
Ukraine’s defense ministry has warned that invading forces are ready for a possible attack on the country’s third-largest city, which could open a corridor to Kyiv from the south.
Landing ships capable of firing tanks and hundreds of soldiers were spotted off the coast.
Ukraine’s defense ministry warns that invading forces are ready for a possible attack on the country’s third-largest city in a move that could open a corridor to Kyiv from the south
“In the waters of the Black Sea, we are witnessing the landing detachment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, consisting of four large landing ships, accompanied by three missile boats, advancing on Odessa,” the ministry said in a statement.
Experts warn that the capture of the port will give Russia a “suffocation” of the Ukrainian economy – similar to the loss of the United Kingdom Dover. General Sir Richard Barnes, a former British military chief, said the city was a “grand prize” in the Russian invasion.
“You would expect to see, based on the success in Kherson, that Russian forces on shore would now be inclined to move further west, and it is quite plausible that they would then land an amphibious vehicle somewhere around Odessa and spend more time over a few days of connection operation, “he said The times.
One landing ship has been identified as Pyotr Morgunov, which can carry attacking helicopters, 13 tanks or 36 infantry vehicles and 300 soldiers. Alligator and Ropucha class vessels have also been reported.
An Estonian cargo ship, apparently captured by the Russian navy to be used as a shield during the invasion, sank near Odessa after an explosion yesterday. Four of Helt’s six crews were unaccounted for.
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