Russian Navy shells Ukrainian ships in Black Sea

Strikes Damage Power Stations, Forcing Ukrainians to Conserve Energy

October 3rd, 2018 | By

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Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman on Oct. 3 speaks to reporters after the meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian presidents at the Kremlin.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The first day of the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s “Peaceful Neutrality” exercise off the coast of Crimea came to an abrupt end when the Russian navy began shelling Ukrainian ships.

And that wasn’t even the most surprising thing in an exercise that drew more attention than most.

The exercise did not have much to do with the Black Sea, Ukraine, or Crimea, and it doesn’t appear to have much to do with Russia’s military.

The exercise is actually an exchange of fire exercise between the Russian and Ukrainian navies — with Kiev in this case providing a target. And the Ukrainian navy does have some reason for concern.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet is active in the Black Sea as part of Russia’s “Peaceful Nomality” naval drill, which has taken place off the coast of the Ukraine and Russia’s two Black Sea countries since last Saturday.

So far no Russian ships have arrived, or fired a shot. But Russian ships are currently there and there are multiple Ukrainian ships there as well.

The Russians are conducting an exchange of fire drills, firing salvos of 10-12 shells from large mobile artillery pieces at Ukrainians. Ukrainian ships have also been hit, with Russian ships firing a salvos of nine shells at the Ukrainian ships as well.

The exercises are meant to send a message to the Ukrainian government, but that message is about more than the Ukrainian government.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has a message for Ukraine as well.

While the Russian and Ukrainian navies are operating within international waters, Putin has been threatening to “destroy” Ukraine. While the Russian and Ukrainian navies are operating within international waters, Putin has been threatening to “destroy” Ukraine.

And that was before the Russian and Ukrainian navies began exchanging fire.

The exercise comes on the heels of the Black Sea peninsula’s referendum on whether Crimea should join Russia. Putin backed the referendum results and has