Ukraine’s leader says Russian naval assets are no longer safe in the Black Sea near Crimea

By HANNA ARHIROVA
Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims that recent Ukrainian attacks have denied the Russian fleet safe bases and secure maritime corridors in the western part of the Black Sea. That area is where Kyiv’s troops are looking to squeeze the Kremlin’s occupying forces out of the Crimean Peninsula. Zelenskyy claimed on Tuesday that the Russian fleet “is no longer capable” of operating in the western part of the Black Sea and is gradually retreating from Crimea. He did not offer evidence for his claim. Crimea provides rear support for Moscow’s battlefield efforts further west and has been a frequent target for Ukrainian forces since Russia launched the war on Ukraine.