Satellite images show the deployment of four barges at the entrance to the port of Novorossiysk, so important to the Russian Black Sea Fleet. This is an attempt to improve the defense of the port against attacks by Ukrainian drones.
This was announced by the British Ministry of Defense in its daily summary of the war in Ukraine.
Due to the increased risk of Ukrainian strikes on their traditional port of Sevastopol, the port of Novorossiysk now plays a crucial role in harboring the most valuable assets of Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
The former commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Viktor Sokolov, was replaced following Ukraine's success in using drones against Russian ships both at sea and in ports.
Latest Defense Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 31 March 2024.
— Ministry of Defense 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) March 31, 2024
Find out more about Defense Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/LUxw0AkKb8 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com /19Ym79ET6k
His deputy, Vice Admiral Sergei Pinchuk, likely decided to improve the survival chances of Russian ships by adopting additional preventive and defensive measures, including narrowing the entrance to port facilities.