Since ancient times, the Black Sea has been the sphere of interests of different peoples and states, and wars and armed conflicts have flared up on it or on its shores. Currently, the sea washes the shores of seven states - Russia, Abkhazia, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine.
During the period of the Soviet Union, the Black Sea Fleet of the Soviet Navy was the superior force on the Black Sea, and Bulgaria and Romania were its allies in the Warsaw Military-Political Union. But now the situation has changed radically. Russia has lost the coast of Ukraine, Georgia. The Black Sea Fleet was divided between Russia and Ukraine, and has practically not been replenished since the days of the USSR. Turkey, on the other hand, has modernized and continues to improve its naval forces. Bulgaria and Romania became NATO members in 2004. There was a real war with Georgia (2008). The situation for Russia has deteriorated sharply, moreover, its main naval base, Sevastopol, remained in another state, Ukraine.
Currently, there are several regions that can lead to conflict in the Black Sea region
- Conflict of Georgia with Abkhazia and South Ossetia; Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared their independence, while Georgia refused to recognize it. Russia supported the position of Abkhazia with Ossetia, in August 2008 the conflict escalated into a war, Georgia was defeated by Russian troops. Georgia is currently rebuilding its armed forces, including the Navy, and is seeking support from NATO. In order to prevent a new war, Russia has deployed its military bases in Ossetia and Abkhazia.
- Border disputes between Ukraine and Romania, first because of the shelf of Zmeiny Island, in 2009 by the decision of the International Court of Justice 79% of the shelf was transferred to Romania (the oil reserves of the shelf are estimated at $ 10 billion). Then the question arose about the ownership of the Maikan Island on the Danube.
- Claims of the Romanian elite to the territory of Moldova, the former Bessarabia, part of the Russian Empire and the USSR, which in Romania are considered their own, and the Moldovans are part of the Romanian people.
- Ukrainian-Moldovan territorial dispute, over a part of Moldova in the area of the village of Palanca. Under the 1999 agreement on the exchange of territories, Ukraine transferred to Moldova a plot on the banks of the Danube for the construction of the Giurgiulesti port, and Moldova was to transfer to Ukraine a section of the road in the region of the village of Palanka and the land plot along which the road goes. Chisinau handed over the road, but no land.
- The Transnistrian conflict, with which the unrecognized Transnistrian Republic is connected, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Russia.
- Growth of tension on the Crimean peninsula, capable of escalating into a civil war, with the participation of Russia, Turkey, NATO, the UN. The main "players": 1) Crimean Tatars - they demand special benefits and national autonomy, like the "indigenous" inhabitants of the peninsula, they seize lands, are supported by the radical Islamists of the Islamic world, Turkey, the USA; 2) Russia - wants to preserve Crimea in the field of the Russian world, maintain stability, preserve the naval base in Sevastopol; 3) Ukraine - is consistently "Ukrainizing" the peninsula, thereby undermining its stability; 4) The Turkish elite is playing a game with the aim of becoming the leader of the Black Sea region, for this Crimea must again fall under its control. Turkey supports the Crimean Tatars and cooperates with the United States, but it does it subtly without going into conflict with the Russian Federation, there are too many economic contacts, it is not financially profitable to break them off; 5) The United States undermines the stability of the region with the "hands" of radical Islamists, Ukrainian and Crimean Nazis, Turkey. The goal of the United States is to undermine the positions of Russia, to prevent the reunification of Ukraine and Crimea with Russia, and to further fragment the Russian world.
- The problem of the straits of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. In 1936, in the city of Montreux (Switzerland), a convention on the straits was signed, which generally corresponds to the interests of Russia. But Turkey periodically violates it, so in the Second World War it let the ships and submarines of Germany and Italy. After 1991, Turkey began to try to unilaterally change the convention in its favor. It is clear that if Turkey achieves its goal, then Russia will suffer not only enormous economic damage, but will also receive a threat to its security. And the question of the straits will again become strategic for the Russian civilization.
Abkhazia
The Abkhazian navy is insignificant and does not threaten the security of Russia, besides, Abkhazia is an ally of the Russian Federation, its very existence is the result of the goodwill of Russia.
The main naval bases are Sukhumi, Ochamchira, Pitsunda; headquarters in the region of Sukhumi. The numerical strength of 600 people, 3 divisions of sea boats: a little more than 30 units (most of the type "Grif", "Nevka", "Strizh"). Marine battalion - 300 people.
The task of Russia in this direction is to strengthen the Abkhazian Navy, and to prepare their interaction with the Black Sea Fleet in a war.
Georgia
Bases - Poti, Batum. After the war with Russia (2008), the Georgian Navy suffered heavy losses - several ships were destroyed by the Black Sea Fleet, others were sunk by a reconnaissance and sabotage detachment of the Airborne Forces in Poti, some went to Batum. The remaining boats (7 pennants) were transferred, in 2009, to the Coast Guard. There is a battalion of marines, armed with BMP-1, BMP-2, BRDM-2, MLRS "Grad".
Georgia has plans to rebuild the Navy, but firstly there is no money, and secondly, the main sources of replenishment of the United States have switched to solving more important tasks, Georgia has done its job. Turkey also has no reason to strongly strengthen Georgia. Therefore, for Russia, the threat in this direction is insignificant and the strengthening of the Abkhazian Navy can be countered.
Turkey
The Commander of the Navy (Ankara) has 4 commands: the Navy (the main naval base in Goljuk), the Northern Naval Zone (Istanbul), the Southern Naval Zone (Izmir), Training (Karamursel). The GVMB in Goljuk has 4 flotillas - combat, submarines, missile and torpedo boats, mine; plus a division of auxiliary ships and a naval air base. In the naval base of Istanbul there is a division of patrol boats, the naval base of Izmir is an amphibious flotilla.
The number of the Turkish Navy reaches 60 thousand people, St. 120 ships of the main classes: 14 non-nuclear submarines of German construction (6 types 209/1200 and 8 209/1400), at the beginning of 2011 another 6 submarines of class 214/1500 were ordered; 4 frigates of the MEKO 200 Track I type, 4 frigates of the MEKO 200 Track II type (made in Germany), 3 frigates of the Knox type and 8 frigates of the Oliver Hazard Perry type (built in the USA), 6 corvettes of the D'Estienne d'Orves type (France), St. 40 landing ships, more than 30 minesaggers and minesweepers, about a hundred combat boats, St. 100 auxiliary vessels.
Naval aviation is represented by: 6 patrol aircraft, 22 anti-submarine helicopters, 4 search and rescue helicopters. There is a marine brigade - 4, 5 thousand people.
The need for a strong fleet is due to the potential threat from Russia, Greece, Iran, in addition, 90% of foreign trade goes by sea, it is necessary to ensure the safety of merchant shipping and the protection of 8300 km. coastline.
The Turkish command is very attentive to the needs of the fleet, it is just that the decommissioning of a combat unit is not possible, always replacing one ship with one new one. Military shipbuilding is developing rapidly, Turkey is gradually moving away from dependence on the United States, Germany, France, although it maintains military-technical cooperation with them.
Prospective projects: 1) development, strengthening of naval aviation; 2) 6 newest submarines with an air-independent power plant; 3) modernization of "Perry" and "Meco" type frigates, development of the latest TF-2000 class frigates, they are planning to replace the "Knox" type frigates; 4) construction of corvettes "Milgem",Turkey intends to acquire 12 ships and write off 6 French-built corvettes during construction; 5) modernization of old nuclear submarines, arming them with cruise missiles; 6) reinforcement of the amphibious component by large transport and landing ships, which can simultaneously perform rescue operations; 7) construction of 4 specific vessels of the MOSHIP class ("mother ship, mother ship"), designed to carry out search and rescue operations to rescue crews and submarines out of order, damaged or sunk at a depth of up to 600 m; 8) purchase of 5 mine-sweeping vessels of the "Alania" type.
In general, the Turkish Navy surpasses the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation by 3-4 times in the number of anti-ship missiles (anti-ship missiles), they have complete superiority in the submarine fleet, and the superiority of the Turkish Navy is growing every year.
Bulgaria
There are 2 Naval bases - Varna, Burgas. The Navy includes: 1 submarine (built in 1973, so it will soon be decommissioned), 4 frigates (transferred in 2004-2009 by Belgium), 3 corvettes, about 20 other ships (minesweepers, landing ships, minesags). Anti-submarine helicopter squadron (Mi-14). Low combat effectiveness, the ships are old, there is no finance for renewal, all hopes are for the decommissioned ships of the NATO allies.
Romania
2 Naval bases - Constanta, Mangalia. As part of the Navy: 1 submarine, 4 frigates, 4 corvettes, 6 missile boats, 5 mine ships, 5 artillery boats on the Danube. Marine battalion and 1 coastal defense division. The state is like Bulgaria's, the armament is old, the only hope is for NATO help.
Ukraine
The headquarters and main base are Sevastopol, the Ukrainian Navy is also based in Odessa, Ochakov, Chernomorsky, Novoozerny, Nikolaev, Evpatoria and Feodosia. The number is approx. 20 thousand people. Composition: 1 frigate, 1 submarine (constantly under repair, incapable of combat), 6 corvettes, 5 mine-sweeping ships, 2 missile boats, 1 artillery boat, 2 landing ships, 2 command ships. Naval aviation - aircraft squadron (Be-12, AN-26), helicopter squadron. Coastal Defense Forces: 1 Mechanized Brigade, 1 Marine Battalion, 2 Coastal Defense Battalions, 1 Mobile Missile Division.
According to the division of the Black Sea Fleet of the USSR (in 1997), Ukraine received more than 70 ships and vessels, most of which have already been written off and dismantled. The remaining 30 ships and vessels for the most part are not combat-ready and will soon be written off. The Navy, like the Ukrainian army, has practically lost the ability to conduct hostilities even of low intensity, they are demoralized, and there is practically no combat training. There is no finance for the repair of old ships and the construction of new ones. Although there are plans to purchase 4 new corvettes by 2020.
Russia
The bases are Sevastopol and Novorossiysk. The composition of the Black Sea Fleet: 1 missile cruiser ("Moscow"), 3 large anti-submarine ships (BPK "Ochakov", "Kerch", "Smetlivy"), 2 patrol ships (SC "Ladny", "Pytlivy"), 7 large landing ships, 2 submarines ("Alrosa", "Prince George" - they plan to write it off), 7 small anti-submarine ships, 8 minesweepers, 4 small missile ships, 5 missile boats, 4 reconnaissance ships, etc. Naval aviation: a separate anti-submarine helicopter regiment, a separate mixed air regiment, separate assault air regiment. And also - 1 brigade of the marine corps (Sevastopol), 2 separate battalions of the marines.
In 2010, the lease of Sevastopol by Russia was extended until 2042. There are plans to build 3 frigates, 3 submarines, 6 small missile ships, there are plans to buy from Ukraine, complete and modernize a missile cruiser of the Atlant type (it is in Nikolaev, more than 90% ready), it is possible to transfer 2 patrol boats from the Baltic Fleet, renewal of naval aviation.
But in order for the Black Sea Fleet to be able to fulfill the task of protecting the Russian coast, it is necessary to stop the practice of writing off ships without replenishment. Adopt the practice of one decommissioned ship for one new one. Considering that our Black Sea Fleet is inferior to the enemy, and the main potential enemy is Turkey, even without the help of other NATO countries. To set a course for: 1) accelerated development of anti-ship coastal complexes ("Bastion", "Ball", "Club-M"); 2) modernization of naval aviation (for example: replacement of outdated Su-24 with Su-34); 3) strengthening the air defense and missile defense systems of the region; 4) the development of anti-submarine weapons, taking into account the complete superiority of the enemy in this component.
All Russian people need to remember that the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the basis of stability and peace in the Black Sea region, its departure from Sevastopol will increase the chances of the Troubles in Crimea.
