Pentagon Denies Ukrainian Claims of ‘Plan to Destroy’ Russia’s Black Sea Fleet

The Defense Department did not, however, rule out the potential shipment to Ukraine of new weapons that would fundamentally change naval battle in the ongoing war.

The Pentagon on Friday denied that it is forging plans to destroy one of Russia’s most consequential navy fleets, despite assertions to that effect from the Ukrainian government. But officials did leave open the possibility of new weapons shipments that would dramatically change the scope of naval warfare in the region.

Anton Herashchenko, an official adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, tweeted late Thursday, “The US is preparing a plan to destroy the Black Sea Fleet,” according to a translation, in an attempt to force access to strategic ports that Russia has blockaded.

“I can tell you definitively that that’s not true,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday afternoon when asked about the Ukrainian claim.

Kirby did not, however, refute subsequent statements from Herashchenko – and confirmed by anonymous American officials to several news outlets – that the U.S. is considering sending specialized anti-ship Harpoon missiles with a range of 200 miles in future weapons shipments to Ukraine.

Some concerns have emerged about whether sending those particular weapons would provoke a response from Russia against U.S. ships or regional interests.

“We are talking to the Ukrainians every day,” Kirby added, revealing that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had spoken with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov earlier on Friday. “When we have decisions, we come right out here and issue a press release.”

Control of the seas off Ukraine’s coast has become among the most high-profile issues facing Western officials supporting the government in Kyiv against the Russian invaders.

Despite some successes in recent weeks – notably the sinking of the Russian flagship Mosvka – warships loyal to Moscow have succeeded in exerting pressure on Ukraine.

“They continue to be able to, from a maritime perspective, be able to blockade major Ukrainian ports, like Odessa,” Kirby said. “There’s still nothing getting in economically.”

British intelligence asserted this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin had fired an admiral overseeing Black Sea Fleet operations following the Moskva’s sinking, among other shake-ups in Russia’s military leadership involved in the Ukraine invasion.

Russian state news on Friday highlighted statements from friendly lawmakers in the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula celebrating Russia’s control of the Black Sea and adjacent Sea of Azov.

And Moscow on Thursday announced the frigate Admiral Makarov will take over as flagship of the Black Sea Fleet following the Moskva’s sinking – reportedly from a missile strike for which Ukraine has claimed credit.

https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2022-05-20/pentagon-denies-ukrainian-claims-of-plan-to-destroy-russias-black-sea-fleet

UKRAINE SHOULD BE ASSISTED TO DESTROY RUSSIAN FLEET IN THE BLACK SEA TO PROTECT TURKEY AND TAKE BACK CRIMEA.

Make Ukraine destroy every fuckin thing Russia have got

orisa37:
UKRAINE SHOULD BE ASSISTED TO DESTROY RUSSIAN FLEET IN THE BLACK SEA TO PROTECT TURKEY AND TAKE BACK CRIMEA.

.

When Putin will use chemical or biological weapons on them, don't come here and cry war crime or massacre.

orisa37:
UKRAINE SHOULD BE ASSISTED TO DESTROY RUSSIAN FLEET IN THE BLACK SEA TO PROTECT TURKEY AND TAKE BACK CRIMEA.

So, Russia will be sleeping when Ukraine get missiles that can hit Russia Black Sea fleets right?
Ukraine will need a missile range of over 300KM from Odessa to hit Sevastopol and in fact that will drag all NATO straight to war because it’s meaning Russia can now test if their nukes works or not.

If Russia extend to attack Baltic states, do you think USA will risk any USA major cities for Baltic region when both USA and Russia shared 40KM border.

seunny4lif:


So, Russia will be sleeping when Ukraine get missiles that can hit Russia Black Sea fleets right?
Ukraine will need a missile range of over 300KM from Odessa to hit Sevastopol and in fact that will drag all NATO straight to war because it’s meaning Russia can now test if their nukes works or not.

If Russia extend to attack Baltic states, do you think USA will risk any USA major cities for Baltic region when both USA and Russia shared 40KM border.

ALL OF NATO COUNTRIES INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE JUST JOINING
NORWAY, SWEDEN, FINLAND ETCETERA SHOULD BUCKLE UP TO EMBARRASS RUSSIA WITH AN ALL OUT WAR NO MATTER ITS COST. US UK EU SHOULD DRIVE RUSSIA OUT OF THE BLACK SEA AND CRIMEA AND MAKE BMF-BOKOISWA KNOW THAT THEY CANNOT GET FULANI CONFEDERATE.

chemical or biological weapons is just a THREAT common in international warfare. UKRAINE too will use them in RUSSIA. Putin is already GUILTY OF war crime. When Johnson, BIDEN and The Hage catch him for his war crime, Putin SHALL BE HANGED BY HIS EARS.

orisa37:


ALL OF NATO COUNTRIES INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE JUST JOINING
NORWAY, SWEDEN, FINLAND ETCETERA SHOULD BUCKLE UP TO EMBARRASS RUSSIA WITH AN ALL OUT WAR NO MATTER ITS COST. US UK EU SHOULD DRIVE RUSSIA OUT OF THE BLACK SEA AND CRIMEA AND MAKE BMF-BOKOISWA KNOW THAT THEY CANNOT GET FULANI CONFEDERATE.

you think this is a Hollywood movie?


Nairaland military Analyst

Russia will sink Europe

orisa37:
chemical or biological weapons is just a THREAT common in international warfare. UKRAINE too will use them in RUSSIA. Putin is already GUILTY OF war crime. When Johnson, BIDEN and The Hage catch him for his war crime, Putin SHALL BE HANGED BY HIS EARS.

Mr hanger

USA know that will escalate this war

It's funny reading some gullible comments here regarding US/Ukraine plan to sink Russian black sea fleets. It's very amusing as if it's something you can do easily on computer games.

ken6488:
Mr hanger

PUTIN IS MY FRIEND. I CAN'T HANG MY FRIEND. I CAN HANG Xi JINPING.

Ukraine is not capable of doing that, except the US support them with weapons and manpower

orisa37:


ALL OF NATO COUNTRIES INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE JUST JOINING
NORWAY, SWEDEN, FINLAND ETCETERA SHOULD BUCKLE UP TO EMBARRASS RUSSIA WITH AN ALL OUT WAR NO MATTER ITS COST. US UK EU SHOULD DRIVE RUSSIA OUT OF THE BLACK SEA AND CRIMEA AND MAKE BMF-BOKOISWA KNOW THAT THEY CANNOT GET FULANI CONFEDERATE.

I can see you are still living with your parents else you wouldn't typed this

Man! The enormity of ignorance, naivety, misinformation, and ridiculously hilarious comments on this thread is mind boggling.
Like seriously?
Sinking the black sea fleet?

What else won't I read on this forum? What else? Ehn?