Arrr, Putin be rearrangin' his shipmates as Ukraine's third storm approaches on the horizon, mateys!
2024-02-17
Arrr mateys, Russia be takin' a hit after Ukraine be makin' a grand show o' destroyin' o'er two dozen o' Putin's ships includin' one worth a hefty $70 million! That be a blow to the ol' Black Sea Fleet, aye! A toast to Ukraine's boldness!
Russian President Vladimir Putin is making significant changes to the naval leadership as the country continues its invasion of Ukraine. Admiral Viktor Sokolov has been removed as commander of the Black Sea Fleet due to heavy losses suffered by the fleet. Putin has replaced him with Vice-Admiral Sergey Pinchuk for the time being. Sokolov had survived previous scares but is now suspended following reports of ruined ships and significant losses, including the destruction of a missile ship. The losses in the fleet have jeopardized Russia's plans to take the critical port city of Odesa in Ukraine. Putin has had to change military leadership multiple times due to failures in the invasion. The leadership change coincided with the death of Putin's domestic rival, Alexei Navalny, who was found unconscious in a prison in northern Russia. Navalny, a vocal critic of Putin, had previously survived an assassination attempt with a nerve agent. His death comes at a tense time for Russia as it faces challenges in Ukraine.