By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In a significant escalation, Ukraine launched a drone attack on Russian warships in the Caspian Sea, marking the first time Kyiv has targeted vessels in this region. The attack, which took place in the port city of Kaspiysk, hundreds of miles from the frontlines, highlights Ukraine’s growing long-range strike capabilities and its ongoing efforts to cripple Russia’s naval forces. This attack follows a pattern of successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian naval vessels in the Black Sea, demonstrating the effectiveness of their asymmetric warfare tactics. The Caspian Sea attack, coupled with Ukraine’s increasing use of drones to strike land targets deep within Russia, suggests a new phase in the conflict, characterized by Ukraine’s ability to project force beyond the immediate battlefields.
Read the original article here
After bludgeoning Russia’s navy in the Black Sea, Ukraine is now going after a new batch of warships. This time, they’re targeting vessels in the Caspian Sea, a move that makes sense considering the significant amount of Russian trade with Iran that flows through the region. While some might question the effectiveness of these attacks, it’s important to remember that every blow dealt to Russia’s resources, manpower, and capabilities is a win for Ukraine.
It’s worth noting that Ukraine’s success against the Russian navy is particularly impressive considering the circumstances. Ukraine didn’t even have a navy to speak of at the start of the war, as their ships were destroyed or scuttled to prevent capture. Yet, they’ve managed to inflict significant damage on the Russian fleet, even going so far as to sink the flagship Moskva, a symbol of Russian military power. This is a testament to Ukraine’s ingenuity and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
The attacks on Caspian Sea ships also serve a strategic purpose. By forcing Russia to spread its air defenses more thinly, Ukraine can create opportunities for further strikes and potentially weaken Russian defenses along the frontlines. It’s a classic chess move, making calculated moves that can’t be undone, putting pressure on Russia and forcing them to react.
It’s also worth noting that the drones used in these attacks are all domestically produced, highlighting the country’s ability to adapt and innovate under duress. Despite restrictions placed on the use of US-made weapons against Russian targets, Ukraine has proven its capacity to develop its own effective weapons and tactics, demonstrating a formidable level of ingenuity.
The effectiveness of these attacks is undeniable. The loss of warships, regardless of their size, is a blow to Russia’s military capabilities and a morale boost for Ukraine. Furthermore, the resources diverted to protect these ships, like air defenses, represent a drain on Russia’s already stretched resources. This, in turn, weakens their overall war effort.
While some might argue that these attacks are merely symbolic, their impact goes far beyond mere gestures. They demonstrate Ukraine’s capacity to fight back, even against a larger and seemingly more powerful opponent. They also serve as a powerful reminder that, in modern warfare, even small-scale attacks can have a significant impact, especially when strategically coordinated and carried out with precision.
The Ukrainian strategy of “bludgeoning” the Russian navy, even in a distant sea like the Caspian, highlights a crucial lesson: the battlefield is no longer limited to the traditional land, air, and sea domains. The information age, with its advanced technology and ever-evolving tactics, has redefined the rules of warfare. And Ukraine is clearly ahead of the curve.
The resilience and creativity of Ukraine’s military, combined with its ability to adapt and innovate, have caught the world by surprise. The fact that a nation without a navy at the start of the war has managed to inflict such significant damage on a superpower’s fleet is a testament to the courage and strategic thinking of its people. As this war unfolds, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the true victor might not be determined by the size of their navy, but by their ability to outsmart, outmaneuver, and outlast their opponent.