Russia Keeps Missile Ship Armed in Black Sea for Second Day, Ukrainian Navy Confirms

For the second day running, Russia has kept a cruise missile carrier armed with Kalibr missiles stationed in the Black Sea. As of 06:00 on 20 April 2025, the Ukrainian Navy reported that this single Russian warship remains active in the region, capable of launching up to six Kalibr cruise missiles. The ongoing presence of this vessel keeps the threat of missile strikes on Ukraine alarmingly real.

According to a statement from the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the threat does not end in the Black Sea. While no enemy ships were reported in the Sea of Azov, Russia is maintaining two Kalibr missile carriers in the Mediterranean Sea. These ships carry a combined launch capacity of up to twelve missiles.

The situation in the surrounding waters is monitored closely, with vessel movements tracked via the Kerch Strait. In the past 24 hours, six vessels passed into the Black Sea, five of which continued in the direction of the Bosphorus Strait. Another six entered the Sea of Azov, with four of them having come from the Bosphorus.

Ukrainian military officials also noted with concern that the Russian Federation continues to breach the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS, 1974). Specifically, Russian forces are turning off automatic identification systems on their warships, in violation of international maritime law.

This latest deployment mirrors the manoeuvre seen on 19 April, when Russia placed the same Kalibr-equipped vessel into the Black Sea. With a maximum salvo of six cruise missiles, such a presence represents an ongoing tactical threat to civilian and military infrastructure across Europe.

Summary of hostile naval activity as reported by Ukraine’s Navy:

Ukrainian authorities continue to monitor the maritime situation carefully, warning that the potential for new strikes remains high as long as Kalibr missile systems are at sea and operational.