Ukraine wants to wipe out the Black Sea Fleet, Russia warns sharply

Ukraine sending submarines into the Crimean Peninsula to approach the Black Sea Fleet would be tantamount to suicide.

That was the statement of the Russian State Duma delegate from Crimea, Mr. Ruslan Balbek.

Photo: RIA Novosti

Earlier, Captain of the First Rank of the Ukrainian Navy, First Vice President of the Union of Officers Evgeni Lupakov said that if Ukraine had about 5 submarines, it could wipe out the Russian Black Sea Fleet at the port of Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula.

“There is not a single submarine crew in the Ukrainian Navy. Working on a submarine requires not only study but also practice.

Otherwise, it will be a one-way trip. No country should mess with the Black Sea Fleet,” said Mr. Balbek.

According to Mr. Balbek, Kiev shows its own ignorance about submarine warfare at sea by relying on questionable obscure data.

Previously, on April 27, Mr. Zaur Smirnov, a member of the Crimean government, said that Kiev authorities have been increasing their military presence near Crimea in recent months.

Mr. Smirnov revealed information from reliable sources showing that the Ukrainian military is planning to conduct a number of exercises near the Crimean Peninsula this week, including underwater obstacle course practice.

“In recent months there have been a series of Ukrainian military exercises involving different groups of troops. We consider this an attempt to create an alarming situation on the border,” Smirnov said.

Crimean government officials also affirmed that Kiev's displays of weapons did not panic the people of Crimea.

The Crimean peninsula and its capital Sevastopol became part of the Russian Federation after a referendum in March 2014.

Accordingly, 96.77% of Crimean people and 95.6% of Sevastopol capital people voted to separate from Ukraine to join the Russian Federation.

Ukraine and Western governments refused to recognize the referendum and imposed a series of sanctions against Russia.

Along with mobilizing the international community, especially the US and the West, to pressure Russia to return the Crimean peninsula, the Kiev government also does not hide its ambition to "regain control of Crimea at all costs".

According to TPO