Invaders in waiting: Lurking just off the coast, a menacing armada of seaborne Russian troops is poised to attack Odessa

Russian assault ships were advancing toward Odessa from the Black Sea last night, fuelling fears that the Ukrainian port is Vladimir Putin’s next target.

The Ukrainian defence ministry warned that invading forces were poised for a possible attack on the country’s third largest city in a move that could open up a corridor to Kyiv from the south.

Landing ships capable of launching tanks and hundreds of troops ashore have been seen off the coast. 

The Ukrainian defence ministry warned that invading forces were poised for a possible attack on the country’s third largest city in a move that could open up a corridor to Kyiv from the south

‘In the waters of the Black Sea, we are observing a landing detachment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, consisting of four large landing ships accompanied by three rocket boats, advancing toward Odessa,’ the ministry said in a statement.

Experts warn that seizing the port would give Russia a ‘chokehold’ on Ukraine’s economy – akin to the UK losing Dover. General Sir Richard Barrons, a former British military chief, said the city was a ‘big prize’ in the Russian invasion.

‘You would expect to see, based on the success in Kherson, that the Russian forces that are on the coast would now be prone to move further west and it is entirely plausible they would then put an amphibious landing somewhere around Odessa and conduct over a few days a link-up operation,’ he told The Times. 

One landing ship was identified as the Pyotr Morgunov, which is capable of carrying attack helicopters, 13 tanks or 36 infantry vehicles and 300 troops. Alligator and Ropucha-class vessels were also spotted.

An Estonian cargo ship apparently captured by the Russian navy to be used as a shield during an invasion sank off Odessa after an explosion yesterday. Four of the six crew of the Helt were missing.

Source: Read Full Article