Russian aviation cuts Black Sea flights over Crimea supply issues, says Ukraine

Russian aviation based in occupied Crimea has significantly reduced the number of flights over the Black Sea over the past two weeks, according to the Ukrainian Navy, which suggests potential supply problems for Russian forces on the peninsula. Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk said the number of sorties has decreased by an order of magnitude, from dozens per day to single figures. He noted that Russian aviation previously held air superiority in the region, and this reduction could limit Moscow's ability to implement its plans in the Black Sea. Despite the decline in aircraft activity, Russia continues to use reconnaissance drones and strike civilian vessels with missiles and kamikaze drones. Pletenchuk said Moscow is repeatedly attacking ships in Mykolaiv region ports for propaganda purposes, as these strikes lack military justification.