Read previewUkraine has dealt a massive blow to Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea. Russia has retained control of Crimea since invading and annexing the peninsula in 2014 and secured Sevastopol as the headquarters for its Black Sea Fleet. Related stories"Without an amphibious naval force to land in Crimea, how can Ukraine project enough troops onto the peninsula to claim its control?" Ukraine has resorted to hitting Russia's air defenses in Crimea with missiles and long-range weapons, including US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS. "Even with F-16s, I don't think Ukraine has the ability to provide its ground forces effective close air support, given Russian air defense capability," he told BI.

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