Russia to bolster its Black Sea fleet with new Azov Sea Naval District in Ukraine - UK

Russia is reinforcing control over the Sea of Azov by establishing a new Azov Naval District, according to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD).

The latest MOD intelligence report said that the district was established on 1 July and will be headquartered in the occupied coastal city of Mariupol in south-east Ukraine.

The district will reportedly command eight warships, including three modern, Karakurt class corvettes which can launch SS-N-30A Kalibr cruise missiles.

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The Sea of Azov is often seen as the northern extension of the Black Sea and is strategically important for Russia because it links its inland waterways to international maritime routes.

East of the sea is Russia, while to the northwest and southwest lies Russian-occupied Ukraine.

It is also an important access route to central Asia.

The MOD update said: “In the context of the war, it also offers an alternative military resupply option should Russia's over-land routes to southern Ukraine be disrupted.

"The Azov Naval District will likely focus on supporting logistical and counter-partisan tasks, freeing up the main Black Sea Fleet to concentrate on long-range strike operations and projecting maritime power further abroad."

Mariupol was under siege for almost three months from February 2022 which resulted in Russian victory and occupation of the strategically important port city.