Insights on Amphibious Combat Gleaned from a Scarcely Experienced Skirmish: Significant Findings
In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia's significant amphibious capabilities have not been fully utilised, despite their dominance in the Black Sea region. This article examines the reasons behind this strategic decision.
Russia's Black Sea coastline, expanded by the annexation of Crimea, provides a strategic advantage, but poses challenges for potential amphibious assaults. Urbanization and defence systems along the Ukrainian coastline could pose threats to Russian success in such operations.
Ukraine's effective use of Bayraktar drones and enhanced air defence capabilities have disrupted Russian naval assets, posing a risk to aircraft supporting amphibious landings. Geographical challenges also play a role, as much of the Ukrainian coastline is urbanized or not conducive to large-scale amphibious operations.
Russia's focus on ground warfare, using extensive land forces to capture key cities and regions, has been more effective in the initial stages of the invasion. The involvement of nuclear-armed powers, the risk of escalation, and the cost and logistical challenges associated with amphibious operations have likely influenced Russia's decision not to pursue this approach.
Despite these challenges, Russia maintains a formidable amphibious assault capability, with dozens of amphibious assault ships and well-equipped naval infantry brigades. However, they have faced logistical difficulties from the beginning of the conflict, with their naval vessels threatened by naval mines.
Russia has exercised for an amphibious assault in the Black Sea since annexing Crimea, and conducted a small-scale, uncontested amphibious landing near Mariupol at the beginning of the conflict. The development of their Black Sea Fleet has shifted the military balance in the region in Russia's favour.
Recent reports suggest that the Ukrainian military has sunk the Russian cruiser Moskva using a Neptune antiship missile, potentially in coordination with a Bayraktar TB2 drone. This demonstrates the threat posed by Ukraine's growing defensive capabilities.
The United Kingdom may supply Harpoon antiship missiles to Ukraine, while the US has pledged to deliver at least one hundred Switchblade loitering munitions. These developments could further complicate any future Russian amphibious assault plans.
In conclusion, while Russia has the capability to conduct large-scale amphibious landings, the strategic and operational risks, combined with the success of their ground efforts, have likely influenced their decision not to pursue this approach. The ongoing conflict continues to evolve, and the potential for amphibious operations remains a key strategic consideration.
- Russia's dominance in the Black Sea region presents a strategic advantage, but its amphibious capabilities remain partially untapped due to challenges posed by urbanization, defense systems, and geographical constraints along the Ukrainian coastline.
- Russia's focus on ground warfare, utilizing land forces to capture key cities and regions, has proven more effective in the initial stages of the invasion than potential amphibious assaults, due to factors such as the risk of escalation, cost, and logistical challenges.
- Despite these challenges, Russia maintains a formidable amphibious assault capability, with numerous amphibious assault ships and well-equipped naval infantry brigades, yet faced initial logistical difficulties, with their naval vessels threatened by naval mines.
- The involvement of nuclear-armed powers, the threat posed by Ukraine's growing defensive capabilities, and the arrival of military aid from other countries like the United Kingdom (UK) and USA, including Harpoon antiship missiles and Switchblade loitering munitions, could further complicate any future Russian amphibious assault plans.
- Recent reports suggest that Ukraine has successfully sunk the Russian cruiser Moskva using a Neptune antiship missile in coordination with a Bayraktar TB2 drone, demonstrating the growing threat posed by Ukraine's defensive capabilities.
- The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to evolve, with the potential for amphibious operations remaining a key strategic consideration, as Russia maintains its amphibious assault capabilities and other countries provide military aid to support Ukraine's defense efforts.
