Double Whammy in the Black Sea

In the last few days Ukraine has conducting a series of daring exploits in the Black Sea area, effectively nullifying any need for a future “Grain Deal” with Russia. The “Nation Without a Navy” has continued to limit Russia’s ability to project force and even put its vessels to sea. <h2>Boika Towers</h2> Two oil platforms known as Boika Towers were taken over by Ukrainian special forces using small boat attacks, which is, ironically, what I wrote my senior paper on for by Bachelors in Intelligence Studies in 2005, although my paper focused on the Straits of Malacca — perhaps I can write about that when China tries to take over Taiwan. The Ukrainians approached on small rubber boats at night and climbed the support structures. There they found Russian military equipment, including radars, electronic warfare equipment, and weapons. Two oil extraction platforms as well as two oil transfer platforms were taken over. The Special Forces Telegram channel released a video of the events. Russia was using them as a place to refuel patrol helicopters and as radar stations to monitor ship movements. This is a major blow to Russian control of the Black Sea given the proximity of the towers to the coast of Crimea. Ukraine could use these as a base to launch drones and shorter range missiles at targets in occupied territory. During the raid a Russian Su-30 fighter jet harassed the Ukrainians, but they managed to damage the aircraft and force it to retreat. <a href="https://medium.com/@dylan_combellick/double-whammy-in-the-black-sea-43115287f6f4">Website</a>