Lost long-term construction: Naval base "Skhid" in Berdyansk
Boat pr. 58155 in the port of Berdyansk, 2020. Photo by OP of Ukraine
Since 2018, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been building a new naval base in Berdyansk. They tried to build the object on the basis of the infrastructure of the existing commercial port with its partial alteration and modernization. Despite all the bold plans, to date, the construction has not been completed. Now it is canceled - Berdyansk, along with the port, the unfinished naval base and its boats, has come under the control of Russian troops.
Plans and reality
The decision to build a new naval base was made back in 2016-17. within the framework of the new Naval Doctrine. The civilian port in Berdyansk was chosen as a place for the base. It provided access to the Sea of Azov, and also had part of the infrastructure required by the military the fleet. In the coming years, it was planned to carry out the necessary modernization of berths and other facilities. The new base was given the name "Skhid" ("East").
For a number of reasons, real measures to rebuild the port infrastructure began only in 2020. They were planned to be completed in the near future, but the deadlines were gradually shifting to the right. Until recently, the end of 2022 was called the date for the appearance of a full-fledged naval base. It is not known whether it would be possible to meet these deadlines.
Despite all the delays, the transfer of pennants to a new base started in 2018, and with a provocation and scandal. The first to go to Berdyansk were two boats and a tugboat. The transition was organized in violation of the rules of navigation and provided for a provocation. The boats invaded Russian waters and were naturally detained. However, later they managed to get to a new duty station.
Control ship "Donbass" in 2012. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Later, several other boats and ships of various classes were sent to Berdyansk. Also, several units and formations of coastal troops were assigned to the Vostok naval base. Headquarters and other management and support bodies were formed. With the construction and commissioning of new facilities, it was planned to transfer various units and structures from other ports to the base.
By the beginning of 2022, all plans to create a naval base were only partially fulfilled, but several boats and ships arrived at the port. The Berdyansk division included four armored boats pr. 58155 "Gyurza-M", including two previously detained by Russian border guards. Also, the command ship "Donbass" (former floating workshop), the tug "Yany Kapu" and the patrol ship (former tug) "Korets" were assigned to the Vostok naval base. The base also included several coastal units - marines and artillery.
The port of Berdyansk was also the base point for boats of the Ukrainian border service. According to various sources, there were at least two boats of Project 1400M and five small boats of different projects. Also at the disposal of the border guards were crew boats, motor boats and other materiel.
Demilitarization process
On February 28, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the city of Berdyansk had been completely liberated from Ukrainian armed formations and taken under control. Together with the city, the port is also controlled, incl. its part, previously given to the naval base. Accordingly, the base ceased its activities, and together with several combat units.
Boats "Gyurza-M" in the port taken under control. Photo bmpd.livejournal.com
New details of the demilitarization of the Vostok naval base have recently become known. Russian media report that the personnel of the base were preparing for defense and erected the simplest fortifications. However, the fighting did not start - the garrison was evacuated in an unknown direction. At the same time, all objects, equipment and weapons were thrown intact. Most of the assigned boats and ships remained at the quay walls; only a few of them were taken to other ports.
Reportedly, the Akkerman and Vyshgorod armored boats, as well as the Korets patrol ship from the Ukrainian Navy, were in Berdyansk. Boats of recent construction are in fairly good condition. They are fully equipped with weapons and equipment; attempts to destroy appliances or weapon were not undertaken. The older "Korets" looks worse - significant age and lack of necessary maintenance affect.
The personnel of the border service also left the port and abandoned their boats. Under the control of the Russian army came two boats pr. 1400M "Grif", three small boats pr. 50300 "Kalkan-M" and two pr. UMS-1000. Also a trophy was the traveling Adamant-135. Like the fleet equipment, the patrol boats of the border service are in good condition, although they may need repairs.
The coastal garrison of the naval base also fled. A variety of property and weapons remained in the barracks and on the sites. Of particular interest among the abandoned materiel are several towed guns 2A36 "Hyacinth-B". They didn't even try to take them out.
Patrol ship "Korets". Photo bmpd.livejournal.com
The Russian military began to disarm the abandoned boats and ships. Armament is removed or damaged. Ammunition is also taken out. In the near future, the disarmed ships will be transferred to another port. Probably abandoned weapons, cannons, etc. will also be taken out. The further fate of all these trophies is still unknown.
Fleet losses
Together with the Skhid base, the Ukrainian Navy abandoned several pennants, infrastructure and various materiel. At the same time, losses in Berdyansk are not the only ones. Since February 24, the Ukrainian fleet has been regularly receiving painful blows, as a result of which the ship's serviceable and usable composition has been constantly reduced.
Already on the first day of the Special Operation, the Russian army launched massive strikes against Ukrainian naval bases. As a result of this, a significant part of the infrastructure was hit and ships and boats were destroyed or damaged. So, on February 24, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the destruction of five boats. Six more were sunk on 26 February; they participated in a "flock" of 16 boats and tried to prevent the evacuation of prisoners from about. Serpentine. The flagship of the Navy "Hetman Sahaydachny" was sunk by Ukrainian sailors on their own.
A few days later, the list of losses was replenished with several abandoned pennants in Berdyansk. The flight from the Skhid base hit not only the quantitative indicators of the Navy, but also their capabilities in the Sea of Azov. Now only the port of Mariupol remained in this direction with a limited combat strength and known prospects.
Guns "Hyacinth-B" coastal troops. Photo "Izvestia"
According to various sources, only the command ship "Donbass" and two armored boats "Gyurza-M", belonging to the Navy, are currently in Mariupol. The border service kept up to two guards and about 5-7 boats of various types in this port. The fleet and border guards are actually unable to go to sea and perform combat missions.
Ukrainian forces in Mariupol continue to resist, but the outcome of this battle is already clear. Army and nationalist formations will be defeated, and the port will come under the control of Russian troops. As a result, boats and patrol boats will also become trophies, as has already happened in Berdyansk.
Predictable results
In recent weeks, the Ukrainian Navy - already not the largest and most developed - has suffered the most serious losses in infrastructure, materiel and ship composition. In just a few days of the Russian Special Operation, they actually ceased to exist as a combat-ready structure capable of operating in the waters of the Black and Azov Seas and performing combat missions.
Of particular interest now is the situation around the naval base in Berdyansk. Its construction was planned for several years, then real events began, but the deadlines for completion of work and delivery were repeatedly postponed. And now the prospects for this object have become clear: the demilitarization operation puts an end to this long-term construction.
Information