As tensions stay excessive within the Black Sea, skirmishes have taken place between maritime and air forces round strategically essential fuel and oil platforms between Crimea and Odesa.
That’s what the UK Ministry of Protection famous in an intelligence assertion posted on its Twitter web page this week, including that the platforms are operated by the Chernomorneftegaz firm. This firm was seized by the pro-Russian occupation authorities in Crimea through the 2014 annexation, the ministry highlighted.
“The platforms command worthwhile hydrocarbon sources,” the ministry stated within the assertion.
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“Nonetheless, like Snake Island to the west, they may also be used as ahead deployment bases, helicopter touchdown websites, and to place long-range missile techniques,” the ministry added.
In a separate intelligence assertion posted on its Twitter web page this week, the ministry stated navy service within the Russian Armed Forces has grow to be more and more profitable because the invasion.
“On February 4, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin famous {that a} lieutenant acquired 81,200 rubles per 30 days,” the assertion stated.
“By October 2022, he introduced that even mobilized personal troopers would obtain 195,000 rubles per 30 days,” it added.
“Many junior ranks serving in Ukraine are actually on over 200,000 rubles per 30 days. That is over 2.7 occasions the Russian nationwide common wage of 72,851 rubles. By the use of comparability, 2.7 occasions the typical UK wage would equate to over GBP 90,000 a yr,” it continued.
The assertion famous that it’s extremely probably that the wage and extra advantages are a robust incentive for personnel to affix up, “particularly to these from the poorer areas of Russia”.
“Nonetheless, Russia remains to be unlikely to fulfill its targets for recruiting volunteers to the ranks,” it added.
Ukraine’s threat and influence score is designated as “important” in Dryad International’s newest Maritime Safety Risk Advisory (MSTA), which was launched on August 28. Dryad’s MSTAs use 5 designations to rank the danger and influence scores of nations. These comprise important, extreme, substantial, average, and low.
In its latest MSTA, Dryad famous {that a} new insurance coverage settlement is at the moment within the negotiation stage to make sure the security of vessels using Ukraine’s humanitarian hall.
“This announcement follows the termination of a grain hall that Russia determined to desert final month,” the MSTA acknowledged.
“The Ukrainian authorities and varied worldwide insurers are actively discussing the specifics of the insurance coverage deal. Whereas these insurers are naturally apprehensive about potential threats to vessels within the hall, the Ukrainian authorities stays steadfast in its assurance of offering satisfactory safety,” it added.
“The conclusion and announcement of this very important insurance coverage association are anticipated within the forthcoming days,” it continued.
The humanitarian hall holds vital significance for Ukraine, the MSTA acknowledged, including that it serves as a “essential channel for delivering important provides amidst the continued battle”.
“This upcoming insurance coverage settlement is anticipated to strengthen the hall’s integrity, guaranteeing vessels can transport these much-needed provides securely and effectively,” the MSTA stated.
In its earlier MSTA, which was posted final week, Dryad revealed {that a} cargo vessel had accomplished its journey from Ukraine to Turkey throughout the Black Sea, “following a route established by Kyiv to bypass the Russian blockade of its harbors”.
“This profitable transit marks the maiden voyage underneath Kyiv’s newly launched ‘humanitarian hall’, aiming to make sure secure navigation amidst the Black Sea’s mined areas,” that MSTA acknowledged.
Earlier this month, Dryad International Analyst Noah Trowbridge advised Rigzone that, “regardless of navy escalation between Russia and Ukraine within the Black Sea in latest weeks, the area’s threat profile has not advanced considerably, with drifting sea mines remaining the first risk to grease and fuel tankers”.
“Tensions have grown since Russia’s withdrawal from the UN-brokered grain deal in July 2023 – which allowed export for business meals and fertilizer exports from three key Ukrainian ports within the Black Sea – notably resulting in ‘boat drone’ assaults and naval strikes on business vessels in latest weeks,” he added.
“Each international locations have issued warnings that vessels transiting key ports both aspect could be thought-about potential navy vessels. Vessels are suggested to keep away from Ukrainian waters and collaborate with naval authorities,” he went on to state.
The Dryad International Analyst advised Rigzone that, in 2023, drifting sea mines have been noticed off Turkish, Romanian, and Georgian waters.
Following weeks of negotiations, the UN-brokered accord that facilitated the export of greater than 30 million tons of Ukrainian grain to world markets through three Black Sea ports expired on July 17, the UN stated in a press release posted on its web site on final month.
In a press release posted on his Twitter web page on July 17, UN Secretary Normal Antonio Guterres stated, “I deeply remorse Russia’s choice to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, which has been a lifeline for world meals safety in a troubled world”.
To contact the creator, electronic mail andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com
