Russia has positioned a warship armed with Kalibr cruise missiles in the Black Sea, carrying a total salvo of up to four missiles. In addition, four Russian warships are stationed in the Mediterranean Sea, three of which are armed with up to twenty six Kalibr missiles. The information was reported by the press service of the Naval Forces of Ukraine.
As of the morning of March 9, the Ukrainian Navy confirmed the presence of one Russian missile carrier in the Black Sea. The Sea of Azov remains free of Russian naval vessels, while in the Mediterranean Sea, four Russian ships are present, with three serving as missile carriers. These vessels significantly contribute to Russia’s ability to launch long range strikes against Ukraine and other targets.
The Ukrainian Navy also reported that Russian controlled maritime traffic through the Kerch Strait continued. Over the past day, two vessels entered the Black Sea and proceeded toward the Bosporus Strait, while five vessels passed into the Sea of Azov. One of these ships originated from the Bosporus, highlighting the continued use of the occupied strait for military and logistical operations.
Russia has continued to violate the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) by disabling the automatic identification systems on its ships. This deliberate act makes it harder to track their movements and poses a threat to maritime security in the region.
