The Atesh partisan group, a known resistance faction in occupied Crimea, has reported that the Black Sea Fleet’s presence in Striletska Bay has dwindled to near emptiness. The group cited an intelligence report from July 8, indicating that the bay, which once housed a substantial number of Russian warships, is now used primarily for maintenance and infrequent military drills. According to the group, the fleet has been redeploying its remaining combat units to evade detection by Ukrainian reconnaissance, a move that aligns with the broader Russian strategy of protecting its naval assets from Ukrainian attacks.
This report comes amid increasing military pressure on Russia’s naval presence in Crimea, which has been under sustained attacks by Ukrainian forces using advanced weaponry, including drones and long-range missiles. The Ukrainian military has been credited with sinking several Russian vessels, such as the Caesar Kunikov landing ship, the Sergei Kotov patrol ship, and the Ivanovets missile corvette. These strikes have forced the Kremlin to reposition its fleet and reduce its military footprint in the region. The Atesh group emphasized that every ship and facility in the area is under surveillance, with real-time tracking shared with the Ukrainian military, ensuring that any movements are closely monitored.
Striletska Bay, once a central base for the Black Sea Fleet, has become a symbol of the declining Russian naval presence in Crimea since the 2014 annexation. The area had long been a key hub for Russian warships, but the recent attacks and intelligence reports suggest a significant shift in the region’s strategic importance. The Ukrainian military has been increasingly targeting Russian naval infrastructure, with recent strikes on facilities in Novorossiysk, a key port east of Crimea, further complicating Russia’s military plans. The Atesh group’s claims highlight the growing strain on Russian military resources and the effectiveness of Ukrainian countermeasures in disrupting Russian operations in the Black Sea.
The situation is part of a broader trend of Russian military setbacks, as evidenced by growing tensions and reports of Russian forces redeploying assets to other fronts. The partisans’ assertion that the bay is now largely empty underscores the strategic advantage Ukraine has gained in the region. As Russia continues to face military and logistical challenges, the reduction in its naval presence in Crimea could have long-term implications for its control over the Black Sea and its ability to project power in the region. The ongoing conflict continues to shape the military dynamics between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides adapting their tactics in response to the evolving battlefield.