“If Russian warships stay in Black Sea, they will fear to get close to Crimea” – Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian Navy Commander Oleksiy Neizhpapa discussed the situation in the Black Sea and Russia's capabilities to launch missile strikes in the Odesa region on July 2.

The President noted that he is in Odesa on Sunday primarily to congratulate the soldiers of the Naval Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Day of Navy.

The enemy will definitely not dictate the conditions in the Black Sea, and the occupiers will have to be as afraid to approach our Ukrainian Crimea and our shores of the Sea of ​​Azov as Russian ships are already afraid to approach our Black Sea coast, he said.

Zelensky said that he gave awards to the best and congratulated all of the cadets of the Institute of Naval Forces of the Odesa Maritime Academy. He also visited injured soldiers in the hospital.

There was also a report today by our Commander of the Naval Forces, Vice-Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa, as well as the Commander of the Odesa Air Defence Forces, General Moskaliov. Both regarding the security situation now, and regarding our strategic tasks – for our fleet, for a new direction – the fleet of naval drones – and for our coastal defence. We will implement everything! I'm sure! the President emphasised.

Meanwhile, Russia currently has nice warships in the Black Sea, including four Kalibr cruise missile carriers with up to 24 missiles on board, the Ukrainian Navy Command reported on July 2.

In the Azov Sea, Russia keeps one warship, according to the report.