By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Ukrainian Navy successfully targeted a key communications hub utilized by Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea on September 11th. This facility, the 184th Research and Experimental Base, served as a crucial node for managing Russian naval operations and was situated near an airfield used by Russian forces. The strike damaged the communications hub, which previously specialized in hydrodynamic testing. This attack followed a prior strike on September 10th by Ukrainian drones that hit the Russian Aerospace Forces’ Center for Deep Space Communications in Vitino, also in occupied Crimea.
Read the original article here
Ukraine Destroys Russian Navy Control Base in Occupied Crimea. The news seems to keep rolling in, doesn’t it? It’s hard not to feel a surge of…well, satisfaction, at reports of Ukrainian successes. You can practically hear the gears grinding in certain corners, with some people already gearing up to downplay the significance or, predictably, laying blame.
Ukraine Destroys Russian Navy Control Base in Occupied Crimea. A key aspect of this particular strike is that it’s more than just a blow to individual ships. Knocking out a fleet control hub strikes at the heart of the Russian Navy’s ability to coordinate and effectively operate in the Black Sea. Without that centralized command, the fleet loses its teeth. It becomes a fragmented force, less capable of projecting power or defending its assets.
Ukraine Destroys Russian Navy Control Base in Occupied Crimea. It’s also worth considering the symbolic weight of these attacks. This control base, like other targets in Crimea, was once part of Ukraine. Striking it now adds another layer of meaning to the conflict. It’s a clear message of defiance, a reclamation of territory, even in a small way, and a constant reminder to Russia that they are not truly in control.
Ukraine Destroys Russian Navy Control Base in Occupied Crimea. The efficiency with which Ukraine seems to execute these operations is noteworthy. One thing that’s apparent is that the Russian military has struggled with this same level of effectiveness. The difference between the two is stark. It’s a crucial element in the ongoing struggle, as it directly impacts Russia’s ability to rearm and sustain its forces. Naval bases are vital for logistics, and striking them significantly restricts Russia’s capacity to wage war.
Ukraine Destroys Russian Navy Control Base in Occupied Crimea. The Kerch bridge, and its role in all of this, is a complicated matter. Destroying it right now wouldn’t be the catastrophe for Russia that it might have been in the earlier stages of the conflict. Russia has built rail connections through southern Ukraine, which reduces its dependence on the bridge. Still, taking out the bridge would complicate their logistics significantly.
Ukraine Destroys Russian Navy Control Base in Occupied Crimea. From a strategic standpoint, there are a couple of reasons why the bridge hasn’t been targeted more aggressively. The air defenses surrounding the Kerch bridge are effectively drawn away from the front lines, leaving them unable to defend strategic assets in other areas. The second reason, and perhaps more subtly, is that it offers a potential escape route for the Russian forces and the Russian population in Crimea.
Ukraine Destroys Russian Navy Control Base in Occupied Crimea. The idea is almost a strategic courtesy. It’s the “leave now while we allow you to” approach, and it makes sense from a military perspective. It’s straight out of Sun Tzu’s handbook; give your enemy an avenue of escape. That way, you reduce the likelihood of a desperate, last-ditch stand, a costly fight in which both sides would suffer heavy losses.
Ukraine Destroys Russian Navy Control Base in Occupied Crimea. Consider the situation in Kherson. As the Ukrainian forces approached, they didn’t completely destroy the bridge. Instead, they made strategic cuts, which served as a clear signal: “Leave now.” This way, the Ukrainians were able to retake the city. Similarly, in Crimea, the bridge allows the Russian forces and its residents to withdraw, making it less likely that there will be a costly fight.
Ukraine Destroys Russian Navy Control Base in Occupied Crimea. There are, after all, more than 200,000 Russians who have moved there. The goal is to give them a chance to leave when the territory is retaken, preventing a bloody confrontation in the future. It also prevents Russia from pouring more resources into Crimea.
Ukraine Destroys Russian Navy Control Base in Occupied Crimea. Ultimately, it’s a strategic balance. Ukraine’s military actions are aimed at degrading the enemy’s capabilities while minimizing the cost, both in terms of casualties and the destruction of infrastructure. The strikes on the control base are a critical part of this, as they are a significant blow to Russia’s command structure.