Ukrainian Naval Forces to Get Two New Bases

The Ukrainian authorities are starting the construction of two new naval bases in the towns of Ochakiv (Mykolayiv region) and Berdiansk (Zaporizhzhia region).

“We are moving to the practical stage of construction of two naval bases in Berdiansk and Ochakiv and other contacts within the framework of agreements with the United Kingdom,” Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov said, addressing MPs.

The development of the fleet is one of the priorities of the Ministry, he stressed.

Reznikov also noted that Ukrainian intelligence is analysing all scenarios of a possible large-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. Russia is likely to get ready for escalation in late January.

At the same time, the minister pointed out that this is a probable scenario, not imminent, so the main task today is to avert it.

“The better we work – alone and with partners – the smaller will be the risk of escalation. The way is to make the cost of possible escalation unacceptable for the aggressor. Ukraine is most interested in the political and diplomatic scenario of the settlement. In principle, there can be no violent provocations on our part. At the same time, the way to ‘pacify the aggressor’ is not considered. If necessary, Ukraine will fight back,” he assured.

Reznikov reiterated that Ukraine’s vision for the Russian Federation’s preparations coincides with assessments by foreign partners, and the attention of international partners to Russia’s aggression and threat allows focusing on a common response.

Bohdan Marusyak