President Zelensky Says Ukrainian Attack in Black Sea Is Paralyzing Russia, But Warns There Will Be No Instant Results

President Zelensky visited his troops at the forefront. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Ukraine's attack on the Russian Navy in the Black Sea has crippled Moscow's war efforts, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday, but warned there was no immediate success.

Ukraine has been carrying out counteroffensive for months on its southern and eastern fronts but has made little progress, sparking criticism and impatience among some Western allies.

"We live in a world that is too quickly accustomed to success. When the full-scale invasion began, many people around the world did not believe Ukraine would survive," said President Zelensky in his evening video address, reported by Reuters, November 1,

"Glory to all those who did not back down, who did not run out of steam, who believed in Ukraine as they did on February 24 and who have fought relentlessly," praised President Zelensky.

Furthermore, President Zelensky said his forces had succeeded in reducing Moscow's military power in the Black Sea, which he said with greater support from allies, Kyiv could bring Ukraine a final victory over Russia.

The Black Sea has become an important battlefield. Increased air and sea drone attacks on Russian military targets, damaging naval bases and shipyards in the Port of Sevastopol as well as hitting other targets.

Moscow itself uses its fleet in the Black Sea to launch long-range attacks on Ukraine. But for President Vladimir Putin, the waterway – connected to the Mediterranean Sea – is also an important springboard for projecting power to the Middle East, Europe and the West.

"As we guarantee more security in the Black Sea, Russia will lose the ability to dominate this region and expand its malign influence to other countries," said President Zelensky.

The extent of the damage Ukraine has inflicted in recent months on Russia's Black Sea Fleet remains unclear. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said the claims of success had little evidence.

"Ukraine's success in the Black Sea battle will go down in the history books, even though it is not talked about much today," said President Zelensky.

It is known that the war that Russia has been waging since February 24, 2022 has now entered its 20th month and shows no signs of ending.

Russian troops themselves had prepared for new attacks on various sectors of the front line and suffered heavy losses.