The Russian Federation used gas production platforms known as "Boyko towers" to monitor the situation in the Black Sea. After the operation to bring them back under Ukrainian control, Russia has lost this opportunity, Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk told Suspilne.
He believes that the liberation of the "towers" is of great importance for the country as a whole and for Odesa Region particularly. This allows to improve the coastal defence system.
"As you saw in the DIU video, they dismantled the equipment that the Russians used to monitor the surface situation in the Black Sea, which is our water area, by the way. This allows us to leave them without relevant information, and they will not be able to respond in time or plan anything in our waters. Therefore, this is of great importance for Odesa Region in the first place. This is a security issue," said Dmytro Pletenchuk.
He emphasised that it will be possible to talk about full control over the water area only when Ukraine has air superiority. For now, the Navy controls security in the Black Sea.
"The returning of full control over this water area, we are talking about 25,000 sq.km., will take place when we can fully dominate the air. We hope that the availability of new weapons, such as the F-16, which will be able to ensure air security over the entire water area, will help us solve this problem," he said.
The gas drilling platforms off the coast of Crimea in the Black Sea are called "Boyko towers" because of the former Minister of Energy Yuriy Boyko. The procurement of these towers was scandalous due to possible violation of laws and misappropriation of public funds. After the occupation of Crimea, the towers were seized by Russia and used for military purposes.
In mid-August 2023, a military clash took place near the drilling platforms between Ukrainian military on four boats and a Russian Su-30 fighter jet. The incident was filmed from a certain distance by a Ukrainian UAV. The Russian aircraft unsuccessfully attempted to hit the Ukrainian boats with cannon and missile weapons, but these attempts were stopped by a man-portable air defence system shot, which damaged the aircraft.
On 27 August, the British Ministry of Defence reported that Ukraine and Russia are fighting for the Boyko towers. These platforms can be used as landing sites for helicopters.
On 11 September, the intel announced that it had taken control of the towers. During the operation, the special forces captured valuable trophies: a stockpile of helicopter ammunition such as UAM (unguided aircraft missiles), as well as the Neva radar, which can track the movement of ships in the Black Sea.