Ukraine’s success at sea has allowed Kyiv to take troops to the front

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 , Kyiv’s maritime prospects looked bleak.

Using drones, cruise missiles, and a variety of unconventional techniques, Ukraine had driven the Russian fleet from its main base in Crimea to the eastern corner of the Black Sea .

Winning at sea has allowed Kyiv to take troops that were stationed along the coast and send them to the front.

Over time, Ukraine can build on this success, increasing its leverage in future peace negotiations.

Frida Ghitis : Ukraine 's naval success has been a bright spot amid the costly stalemate on the ground.

She says Ukraine 's use of sea drones is an especially novel development in naval warfare.

Ghitis says Ukraine has used land-based missiles to take out five of the nine major vessels that Russia has lost during the war.

She adds that Ukraine ’s naval success does not spell an end to a war fought primarily on ground, but it does give Kyiv several important advantages.

To build on its success, Ukraine will need to do more than reinforce its current capabilities, authors say.

Russia ’s submarines in the Black Sea are essentially invulnerable; they can strike any target at will.