2023-06-24 09:15:00
Ukrainian forces defend the strategic river Dnipro with patrol boats armed with machine guns./Vasco Cotovio/CNN
2023.06.24 Sat posted at 18:15 JST
Kyiv (CNN) Ukrainian military “river patrol boats” are tasked with guarding and defending the Dnipro River, one of Europe’s great rivers, which supports regional water distribution and electricity supply and is a natural obstacle to resistance to Russia. Corps has recently been created.
While its military strength consisted of equipment manufactured during the Soviet era and civilian ships modified for combat, it has recently received aid from the United States, NATO member countries, and other donor countries. .
According to the Pentagon, the United States alone has provided 62 patrol boats suitable for riverside and other patrol missions. It included at least 18 Sea Ark Dauntless patrol boats.
The patrol boat, which is regarding 10 meters long, has a speed of regarding 65 kilometers per hour, can carry three machine guns, and is equipped with a 40 mm howitzer launcher. Although she lacks armor, her greatest weapon in fending off enemy fire is her high speed and excellent mobility.
Captain Anton of the patrol boat, who was recently interviewed by CNN, claimed that “the mission is to monitor all hostilities, including air-to-air, air-to-ground and riverside operations.”
Sea Ark Dauntless patrol boat donated by the United States
The Dnipro River is regarding 2200 km long. It is the fourth largest river in Europe, originating in Russia, passing through Belarus and Ukraine, and finally reaching the Black Sea. Within Ukraine, it runs near major cities such as Kyiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia and Kherson.
It is also the main source of cooling water for the core of Europe’s largest Zaporizhia nuclear power plant located in Zaporizhia Oblast in central and southern Ukraine. The collapse of the Kahouka Dam in Kherson Oblast, southern Ukraine, has once once more demonstrated the weight the river carries on communities and beyond.
The captain pointed out that the strategic importance of the Dnipro River became clear following the dam burst. He said that since February 24, 2022, no ships have been allowed to sail on the river, but that all ships are currently being inspected.
Russia’s infiltration operations are the biggest threat, but following Russia launched a large-scale urban attack using Iranian-made drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), a new mission was imposed, he said. Russia has repeatedly launched drones targeting areas near the surface of the river, and is also attempting to evade Ukraine’s air defense and radar networks, adding that it has added responsibility for anti-aircraft defense.
This new defensive measure prompted the creation of the river patrol fleet. He also said he would attempt to intercept Iranian-made Shahed drones if they landed.
Captain Anton of the patrol boat responding to CNN’s interview
During the early stages of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Navy was forced to lose sea control. After that, Ukraine made full use of the surface-to-ship missiles “Harpoon” provided by Western countries, and achieved certain results in reducing the threat to its own coastal areas from the Russian naval forces.
However, there are continuing trials in which it is not possible to come up with effective countermeasures for seizing control of the Black Sea.
However, the front along the Dnipro River would play out differently than the Black Sea. At the end of last year, Ukrainian forces successfully recaptured Kherson, the capital of Kherson Oblast, from Russian forces. Since then, Ukrainian special forces have used the Dnipro River to sabotage Russian forces retreating and establishing positions on the east bank of the river. It is also believed that they established a foothold on some islands along the Dnipro River.
River patrol boats currently operate in waters away from battlefields, but might be given a role in future operations. Captain Anton of the patrol boat, who responded to the interview this time, declared, “We are ready. If necessary, we will of course fight.”
Defending the Dnipro River, exclusive coverage of the Ukrainian army’s river patrol boat fleet
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