Britain says Russia's Black Sea fleet retains ability to strike Ukraine

FILE PHOTO: A view shows the Russian Navy's vessels near the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, Crimea February 16, 2022. REUTERS/Alexey Pavlishak

(Reuters) - Russia's Black Sea fleet retains the ability to strike Ukrainian and coastal targets, despite its losses of the landing ship Saratov and the cruiser Moskva, Britain's defence ministry said on Thursday.

About 20 Russian Navy vessels, including submarines, are in the Black Sea operational zone, the ministry said on Twitter.