During the operation, there were clashes with a Russian Su-30 fighter, which was “hit and forced to retreat,” according to Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine has asserted its control over oil and gas platforms off Crimea, previously dominated by Russia since 2015.
Reaffirmation of control over Torres Boyka
Located in the Black Sea, near Crimea, the Boyka Towers, oil and gas drilling centers , have been reaffirmed under Ukrainian control, as reported by Ukrainian Defense Intelligence with visual evidence on digital platforms.
Russia had taken control of these structures following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Ukraine described the recovery as an “unmatched action.”
Strategic relevance of control
Retaking these towers is of deep significance for Ukraine. Ukrainian military sources reported that “For Ukraine, regaining control of the Boiko towers was of strategic importance and, as a result, Russia lost the ability to use them for military purposes.”
“Russia has been deprived of the ability to control the waters of the Black Sea fully, and this brings Ukraine many steps closer to recovering Crimea,” Ukraine commented.
During the operation, there were clashes with a Russian Su-30 fighter, which was “hit and forced to retreat,” according to Ukrainian forces.
Black Sea: Zone of current tensions
The Black Sea and Crimea have been positioned as nerve points in the conflict following the Russian incursion into Ukraine in 2022.
Recent British Ministry of Defense reports highlighted previous confrontations between Ukraine and Russia over these essential platforms.
These platforms, operated by Chernomorneftegaz, a hydrocarbon company, were seized by pro-Russian authorities in 2014.
Tension on platforms after the Russian invasion
Following the Russian aggression in 2022, these platforms have been points of tension, “Since the large-scale invasion of Russia in 2022, Ukraine has hit several Russian-controlled platforms. “Both Russia and Ukraine have also periodically occupied them with troops,” the United Kingdom reported.
