British intelligence finds out why Russia withdraws 10 ships from Novorossiysk

British Ministry of Defense reports on Twitter.

British intelligence draws attention to the fact that on January 11, at least 10 ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) left the naval facility in Novorossiysk.

Analysts noted that given the type and number of ships that go to sea at the same time, such actions are likely to be dispersal of the fleet in response to the specific Novorossiysk threat that the Russian Federation has identified. 

"It is unlikely that the deployment signifies preparation for unusual maritime-launched cruise-missile strikes. It is highly unlikely that the fleet is preparing for amphibious assault operations. The BSF largely remains fixed by perceived threats from Ukraine, and continues to prioritise force protection over offensive or patrol operations" British intelligence concluded.

• On November 22, 2022, British intelligence stated that Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, after explosions at the oil terminal in Novorossiysk and due to the vulnerability of its amphibious ships, can no longer feel safe even on the coast of Russian Federation.