An interview with the new commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Aleksey Neizhpapa, in which he threatened Russia with new Ukrainian “Neptun” [Neptune – ed] missiles, makes experts smile. This was said to the “Politnavigator” website by an expert of the Institute of CIS Countries and 1st rank Captain Sergey Gorbachev.
The Ukrainian Admiral threatened to fire “Neptun” at Sevastopol from the mainland. Is this really feasible?
“The ‘Neptun’ missile is a well-known missile, it is made on the basis of the Soviet Kh-35 rocket, which is largely obsolete.
The Ukrainians claim that they have stuffed it with radio electronics, which gives the missile new functions. It is quite possible that some innovations were used there, but the fact is that this is a subsonic missile that is easily detected and easily shot down.
To date, it is not possible to create any threat that can change the situation in the area of any strike impact in the operational plan.
It is possible to solve some tactical problems with the massive use of the ‘Neptun’, when some targets will be hit, but it is not a fact that this strike will be critical for some floating craft, some floating unit.
In principle, at the appropriate levels of readiness, this missile is neutralised by the use of fire weapons. If we talk about the Black Sea fleet, then such weapons are clearly present on the ships of the Black Sea fleet.
Here we see more desire to attract attention and somehow declare that something is being done in the Ukrainian Navy, some types of ship’s weapons are being supplied to the troops.
It was also announced that a new batch of boats from the United States will be able to change the balance in the sea of Azov.
These boats are well-known, they are patrol boats. From the point of view of the possibility of some kind of placement of weapons on them, there is nothing to place on them except large-caliber machine guns. Well, maybe some use of man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems personnel.
They can transfer sabotage groups, i.e., this is a fast boat that is suitable for a limited range of tasks, in no way will they strengthen the naval power of the state of Ukraine. They can only solve tasks of a patrol or security nature.
Neizhpapa mentioned the unfinished cruiser “Ukraina”. Why didn’t Russia buy it during the time of Yanukovych?
“At the time, there were Russian specialists there, and there were proposals made to Moscow by professional shipbuilders who suggested that Russia complete this cruiser. Two options were even proposed. One is to tow the cruiser to the factory in Saint Petersburg and bring it to life there. Another option – completion directly in Nikolaev, which would be more difficult, taking into account that the entire shipbuilding cycle in Ukraine today and already at that time was completely absent.
It would have been necessary to finish building it with serious modernisation changes, because the cruiser, regardless of its physical condition, is already outdated. Those weapons systems that are placed on it, they are already yesterday.
The cruiser was considered for sale to the Indians and Chinese, but apparently they were not interested in this ship either.”
The Ukrainian Admiral also expressed fears that Russia may mine sea routes near Odessa, arrange a blockade of the largest port, and collapse the economy of its neighbour.
Such statements are irresponsible. No one will engage in such activities in peacetime, especially the Black Sea fleet. Mining in peacetime is a fact of direct aggression. We live in a time of peace, no one has declared war on anyone, so such statements are absolutely groundless and have no basis.”
In contrast to ‘Ukraina’, the flagship of the Russian Black Sea fleet – the cruiser “Moskva” has completed repairs and is returning to service. What was upgraded on the ship?
“The missile cruiser ‘Moskva’, the flagship of the Black Sea fleet, has completed dock repairs. The ship has been removed from the dock and is in its normal position. But related to the maintenance of weapons is being carried out. It will last until August, after which the ship will return to the first line of the fleet and will perform its usual tasks.
Of course, ships of this class are definitely needed, there is no doubt about it. But, unfortunately, our shipbuilding program does not provide for the construction of ships of this displacement in the foreseeable future. Today, the maximum that our shipbuilding industry builds is frigates.”
Maksim Karpenko
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