Occupants no longer exploit fields on the Black Sea shelf

The occupiers have admitted that the Russian-seized Chornomornaftogaz company has completely stopped exploiting all fields illegally used by Russia on the Black Sea shelf after the Ukrainian Defense Forces attacked drilling platforms. In this regard, the volume of mineral production in the occupied Crimea decreased by 28.1%.

This was reported by the Center for Investigative Journalism with reference to the Russian state propaganda agency TASS.

It is noted that this is stated in the forecast of socio-economic development of the "Republic of Crimea" for 2025 and for the planning period of 2026 and 2027, the draft of which was approved at a meeting of the "Crimean government" on October 29.

As noted, in June 2022, the Ukrainian military struck three times at Chornomornaftogaz drilling platforms in the Black Sea. In this regard, only three Chornomornaftogaz platforms were suspended, while the complete cessation of field operations was not previously reported.

"The volume of mineral production decreased by 28.1% due to the cessation of operation of all fields on the Black Sea shelf by the State Enterprise Chornomornaftogaz since June 2022," the forecast says.

The agency also reminds that in May 2023, Oleg Grin, Deputy CEO of the seized Chornomornaftogaz, reported that the company suffered a net loss of more than RUB 1 billion in the first quarter of 2023 due to the strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Offshore production accounted for 90% of the company's total production.

Earlier it was reported that after the occupation of Crimea, Russia occupied them in 2015, and with the beginning of the full-scale invasion, used them for military purposes. In particular, as helicopter landing sites and for the deployment of radar equipment. By regaining control over the Boyko towers, the Ukrainian Armed Forces deprived the Russian occupiers of the ability to monitor the surface situation.

Володимир Шкаєв