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.
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“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.
