The Second Black Sea Security Conference held its first panel discussion
During the first panel discussion “Strategic Overview of Security Situation in the Black and Azov Sea, Prospects and Future”, LtGen (ret.) Dr Dennis Gyllensporre, Associate Professor in Security Policy and Strategy, Swedish Defence University, Former Force Commander for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA); Admiral Igor Voronchenko, General inspector of the Main inspectorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Admiral of the Ukrainian Navy and former Navy Commander; Air Marshal (ret.) Edward Stringer, Senior Fellow, Policy Exchange, former Director-General of the Defence Academy,within Joint Forces Command; Vice Admiral (ret.) Didier Piaton, FMES Institute, former Deputy Commander, NATO Allied Maritime Command (2020-2023) spoke on the topic. Andriy Zagorodniuk, Chairman of the Centre for Defence Strategies, Minister of Defence of Ukraine (2019-2020) was the moderator of the discussion.
Andriy Zagorodniuk, Chairman of the Centre for Defence Strategies, Minister of Defence of Ukraine (2019-2020), expressed his opinion during a discussion at the Second Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform that the events unfolding in the Black Sea are worth monitoring closely. This is because they have an impact on the global security architecture, not just in the Black Sea region.
“We believe that what is happening in the Black Sea now is important for overall maritime security, global maritime security. And we also believe that this process should be monitored daily because it affects the global security architecture not only in the Black Sea region,” emphasized Andriy Zagorodniuk,.
There have been instances in world history where a smaller country with limited resources has managed to defeat a larger enemy using asymmetric actions. Ukraine is currently following this approach, which highlights the necessity for ongoing, if not intensified, international military support to Ukraine.
This quote was given by LtGen (ret.) Dr Dennis Gyllensporre, Associate Professor in Security Policy and Strategy, Swedish Defence University, Former Force Commander for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
“We need to consider individual producers, not just countries, to support the Ukrainian resistance when we talk about partners for Ukraine. I believe that the potential here is much greater than what we have been able to use so far,” he said.
He added that the international community should also limit Russia’s ability to use its ports in the war against Ukraine: “If we build powerful capabilities to protect not only Ukraine’s skies but also its seaports, it will be a step in the right direction.”
To counteract Russia, particularly in the Black Sea region, certain steps must be taken. This was emphasized by Admiral Igor Voronchenko, General inspector of the Main inspectorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Admiral of the Ukrainian Navy and former Navy Commander.
“So, what needs to be done directly in the Black Sea area. In my opinion, we need to create a larger A2 zone, which would prohibit the build-up of efforts from the Caspian Sea and other shipping lanes on the mainland. Yes, there are crucial points there that need to be blocked. This is the appropriate suppression of communication routes, logistics, and sensitive technologies that would now prevent Russia from advancing in the construction of new weapons and new combat systems,” he said.
According to Igor Voronchenko, this is a key area, and it requires a quick decision on how to proceed.
At the same time, he also focused on the means of defeating the enemy.
“Secondly, the ammunition itself. The new is the well-forgotten old, as the saying goes. So, there are many means of naval destruction of the enemy – the same torpedoes, the same mines, which can be used on the distant borders where Russia still dominates. And, as I said, it must be a complex combination of new ways and means of application to achieve the greatest possible effect that would work. I think this has little effect on the population of Russia, because they have a very serious and, I think, incurable “disease”. But the decisions of the strategic command, the military and political leadership of the country, yes, it could have an impact,” explained Igor Voronchenko.
Although air power and ground forces are typically seen as the main elements of war, we cannot ignore the new nature of asymmetric warfare, where a fleet can be successfully attacked from the air.
This was mentioned by Air Marshal (ret.) Edward Stringer, Senior Fellow, PolicyExchange, former Director-General of the Defence Academy, within Joint Forces Command.
“Our task is to understand how we can successfully attack the Russian fleet with the available forces and means, especially in Crimea. If we think clearly about how the latest technological solutions can be used in the Black Sea region to successfully fight the Russian fleet, then this is something that needs to be done,” stated Edward Stringer.
He added that the situation at sea has changed a lot, and countries are no longer building large-tonnage vessels to have a powerful fleet. The fleet is now based on technology.
Vice Admiral (ret.) Didier Piaton, FMES Institute, former Deputy Commander, NATO Allied Maritime Command (2020-2023) noted: “The presence and support of partners should be felt every day. The events in Israel yesterday demonstrated this. I hope that Ukraine will have the same support in the Black Sea”.