Russian Black Sea Fleet Commander Viktor Sokolov reported that he is "strengthening defenses amid a series of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting the port of Sevastopol in Crimea." Technical defenses have been enhanced at the fleet's main base and in ship moorings. He stated, "The Black Sea Fleet will receive 4 new ships in 2023." Ukraine tends to avoid directly claiming responsibility for attacks on Crimea, which was unilaterally annexed by Russia after its seizure in 2014.