Overview

• Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov was dismissed as Russia's top naval commander after Ukraine's series of attacks on the Black Sea fleet led to significant losses.
• Ukraine's innovative use of sea drones and long-range missiles has effectively challenged Russia's dominance in the Black Sea, enabling Kyiv to resume grain exports from Odesa.
• The Kremlin has been forced to relocate most of its Black Sea fleet from Crimea to Novorossiysk on the Russian mainland due to the effectiveness of Ukraine's attacks.
• An estimated one-third of Russia's Black Sea fleet, which numbered 80 ships before the war, has been destroyed in the two years of conflict.
• The dismissal of Yevmenov follows the ICC's issuance of an arrest warrant against him for crimes against humanity, related to directing missile strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure.