Moscow Burning — Explosions & Fire Engulf Russian Flagship Moskva

Moskva, a guided-missile cruiser and the flagship of the Russian Black Sea fleet, suffered ammunition explosions and fire while operating in the Black Sea off Odesa on April 13. Exactly what happened is unclear.  Reuters reports that Ukraine’s southern military … Continue reading

Back From the Dead: Snake Island Border Guards & the Russian Warship

On February 24, 2022, the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian naval vessel Vasily Bykov ordered the 13 Ukrainian border guards on Snake Island in the Black Sea to surrender. The border guards replied, “Russian warship, go f*** yourself“. … Continue reading

Russian Warship Vasily Bykov (Go F*** Yourself) Reported Sunk by Ukrainian Missile

On the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian naval vessel Vasily Bykov ordered the 13 Ukrainian border guards on Snake Island in the Black Sea to surrender. The border guards replied, “go f*** yourself“. The warship … Continue reading

UK and Major Container Ship Lines Ban Russian Cargo and Ships Over Ukrainian Invasion

The impact of Russian sanctions is spreading across the shipping industry. Yesterday, Britain announced that Russian ships would be banned from UK ports as part of a new package of sanctions against Russia. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that he … Continue reading

France Seizes Russian Ro/Ro Baltic Leader in English Channel Over Sanctions

France seized a Russian-flagged ro/ro cargo ship, Baltic Leader, on Saturday, in the English Channel, in accordance with recent sanctions put in place following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The ship was bound for St. Petersburg, Russia, but was diverted … Continue reading

Three Merchant Ships Hit by Russian Bombs & Missiles Near Ukrainian Port of Odessa

Reuters is reporting that Russian warships shelled Millennial Spirit, a Moldovan-flagged chemical tanker, and Namura Queen, a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship due to load grain near Odessa port in the Black Sea on Friday, one day after Russia began a full-scale invasion … Continue reading

Putin’s Yacht Graceful Makes Hasty Departure from Germany

German media reports that the 83-meter yacht, Graceful, believed to be owned by Vladimir Putin, has made a hasty departure from Hamburg, Germany, bound for Russia, before finishing repairs and renovations at the Blohm and Voss shipyard. Some speculate that … Continue reading

Russia & the French Mistral Amphibious Assault Ships

Back in 2010, we posted that some members of NATO were uncomfortable with a French contract to build two, with an option for two more, Mistral-class amphibious assault ships for Russia.  The first ship, the Vladivostok, was supposed to be delivered … Continue reading

Update: Ukrainian Flagship Hetman Sahaidachny Sighted Off Crete, Defection Reports Denied

Update:  Reports of the defection of the frigate Hetman Sahaidachny are being denied by the Ukrainian military.  The ship is reported to have be sighted in port in Crete still flying the Ukrainian flag. There are reports that the Ukraine’s Navy flagship, the frigate … Continue reading

Wikileaks, Russian Tanks and the Ro/Ro Faina – the Pirates were Right

Slightly over two years ago we posted about the hijacking of the Ukranian ro/ro Faina by Somali pirates.  The pirates were surprised to discover that the ship was loaded with arms, including 33 Russian T-72 battle tanks.   The pirates claimed … Continue reading