Russia’s Black Sea Fleet was once considered mighty but with a growing threat from Ukrainian attacks, Moscow has turned to a First World War strategy to protect it.
Despite not having a navy itself, Ukraine has managed to carry out a series of successful attacks including strikes on Russia’s Black Sea navy HQ in Sevastopol in September and its 612ft flagship Moskva last April.
Sky News has found Russia has painted five of the fleet’s ships including its flagship Admiral Makarov over the past two months in what analysts describe as an attempt to protect the “vulnerable” fleet.
The Black Sea Fleet (BSF) has around 30 warships and is primarily based in Sevastopol in occupied Crimea.
Image: The flagship Admiral Makarov. Pic: A. Brichevsky
We found the bow and stern of five warships including the Admiral Makarov – which became the fleet’s flagship after the sinking of the Moskva – were painted navy blue or black between 26 May and 4 July this year.
Experts suggest the painting of Makarov, its sister ship Admiral Essen, Ivan Gobulets, Muromets and Grayvoron aims to visually distract Ukrainian threats including sea drones, and to make the vessels appear smaller.
Ukraine has boasted about its use of sea drones – the unmanned nimble vessels that carry explosives and travel on the surface of the water – which have been used in attacks in Crimea.
We compared archive images of the five ships and more recent pictures posted on a Russian Telegram channel linked to KCHF.ru – the fleet’s website.
We’re unable to prove the exact date that these boats were painted but based our timeline on the dates the images were posted online.
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Open-source researchers previously pointed out that the painted Admiral Essen can also be seen in satellite imagery. The ship contains an 8 Kalibr land missile – which has been regularly used against Ukraine during the war.
Analysts say this is a “new form of dazzle painting” – a decoy technique using irregular patterns and colours, which was first used in the First World War to help offer protection from German boats at sea.
Image: Before and after images of two of the painted ships Admiral Makarov (top) and Ivan Gobulets (bottom). Pics: A. Brichevsky
Analysts say painting either side of the boat attempts to present it as smaller than it is – hiding key features like helipads.
While naval decoy is not new, it does tell us something about the threat Ukraine is posing.
Defence and security analyst Professor Michael Clarke said: “It’s sensible idea, but Russia didn’t think its fleet would be in that position. They’re having to go back to some old traditional methods.
“I didn’t think the BSF would be under so much pressure. The fact the Ukrainians have made it vulnerable, we didn’t expect it at the start of the war.”
He adds that it’s a cheap tactic and can buy Russian forces extra time to shoot down incoming missiles if drones fall for the visual distraction, but it has “declining effectiveness”.
Image: The painted bow of the Admiral Essen taken on 19th June in Sevastopol. Pic: Planet Labs PBC
Ukraine has access to drones that use radar signature and infrared signals so in some cases, a coat of paint won’t make a difference to detection.
Painting planes on tarmac
But Russia hasn’t stopped at naval camouflage – it’s also used the decoy technique to try to protect its airbases – even ones close to Moscow.
Satellite imagery previously highlighted by open-source researchers has shown that Russia has painted several aircraft on the ground at airbases to try to trick Ukrainian drones.
Images taken at Engels and Yeysk airbases and an S400 missile launcher base over the past few months show aircraft including Tu-95 strategic bombers painted onto the tarmac.
The S400 base in the Timiryazevsky District is only roughly 10km from the heart of Moscow.
Image: Satellite image shows tyres on planes at Engles airbase on 28 August. Pic: Maxar Technologies
Raphael S. Cohen, Director of Strategy & Doctrine Program, Project Air Force at RAND said: “The war is coming closer to home for Russia. The fact that it merits a Russian response shows you should view this as a measure of effectiveness for the Ukrainians.
“If you’re causing the Russians to worry about their base defences such that they’re taking the time to camouflage, then you’ve clearly thrown them off balance.”
Satellite images have also shown tyres placed on the top of aircraft at Engels airbase which analysts suggest may be used to prevent damage to the aircraft from nearby explosions.
The Data and Forensics team is a multi-skilled unit dedicated to providing transparent journalism from Sky News. We gather, analyse and visualise data to tell data-driven stories. We combine traditional reporting skills with advanced analysis of satellite images, social media and other open source information. Through multimedia storytelling we aim to better explain the world while also showing how our journalism is done.
Donald Trump has criticised Vladimir Putin and suggested a shift in his stance towards the Russian president after a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy before the Pope’s funeral.
The Ukrainian president said the one-on-one talks could prove to be “historic” after pictures showed him sitting opposite Mr Trump, around two feet apart, in the large marble hall inside St Peter’s Basilica.
The US president said he doubted his Russian counterpart’s willingness to end the war after leaving Rome after the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said “there was no reason” for the Russian president “to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days”.
Image: The two leaders held talks before attending the Pope’s funeral
He added: “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!”
The meeting between the US and Ukrainian leaders was their first face-to-face encounter since a very public row in the Oval Office in February.
Mr Zelenskyy said he had a good meeting with Mr Trump in which they talked about the defence of the Ukrainian people, a full and unconditional ceasefire, and a durable and lasting peace that would prevent the war restarting.
Other images released by the Ukrainian president’s office show Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron were present for part of the talks, which were described as “positive” by the French presidency.
Mr Zelenskyy‘s spokesman said the meeting lasted for around 15 minutes and he and Mr Trump had agreed to hold further discussions later on Saturday.
Image: The world leaders shared a moment before the service
Image: Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in the Basilica
But the US president left Rome for Washington on Air Force One soon after the funeral without any other talks having taken place.
The Ukrainian president’s office said there was no second meeting in Rome because of the tight schedule of both leaders, although he had separate discussions with Mr Starmer and Mr Macron.
The French president said in a post on X “Ukraine is ready for an unconditional ceasefire” and that a so-called coalition of the willing, led by the UK and France, would continue working to achieve a lasting peace.
There was applause from some of the other world leaders in attendance at the Vatican when Mr Zelenskyy walked out of St Peter’s Basilica after stopping in front of the pontiff’s coffin to pay his respects.
Image: Donald Trump and the Ukrainian president met for the first time since their Oval Office row. Pic: Reuters
Sir Tony Brenton, the former British ambassador to Russia, said the event presents diplomatic opportunities, including the “biggest possible meeting” between Mr Trump and the Ukrainian leader.
He told Sky News it could mark “an important step” in starting the peace process between Russia and Ukraine.
Professor Father Francesco Giordano told Sky News the meeting is being called “Pope Francis’s miracle” by members of the clergy, adding: “There’s so many things that happened today – it was just overwhelming.”
The bilateral meeting comes after Mr Trump’s peace negotiator Steve Witkoff held talks with Mr Putin at the Kremlin.
They discussed “the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine”, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.
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On an extraordinary day, remarkable pictures on the margins that capture what may be a turning point for the world.
In a corner of St Peter’s Basilica before the funeral of Pope Francis, the leaders of America and Ukraine sit facing each other in two solitary chairs.
They look like confessor and sinner except we cannot tell which one is which.
In another, the Ukrainian president seems to be remonstrating with the US president. This is their first encounter since their infamous bust-up in the Oval Office.
Image: The two leaders held talks before attending the Pope’s funeral
Other pictures show the moment their French and British counterparts introduced the two men. There is a palpable sense of nervousness in the way the leaders engage.
We do not know what the two presidents said in their brief meeting.
But in the mind of the Ukrainian leader will be the knowledge President Trump has this week said America will reward Russia for its unprovoked brutal invasion of his country, under any peace deal.
Mr Trump has presented Ukraine and Russia with a proposal and ultimatum so one-sided it could have been written in the Kremlin.
Kyiv must surrender the land Russia has taken by force, Crimea forever, the rest at least for now. And it must submit to an act of extortion, a proposed deal that would hand over half its mineral wealth effectively to America.
Image: The world leaders shared a moment before the service
Afterwards, Zelenskyy said it had been a good meeting that could turn out to be historic “if we reach results together”.
They had talked, he said, about the defence of Ukraine, a full and unconditional ceasefire and a durable and lasting peace that will prevent a war restarting.
The Trump peace proposal includes only unspecified security guarantees for Ukraine from countries that do not include the US. It rules out any membership of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s allies are watching closely to see if Mr Trump will apply any pressure on Vladimir Putin, let alone punish him for recent bloody attacks on Ukraine.
Or will he simply walk away if the proposal fails, blaming Ukrainian intransigence, however outrageously, before moving onto a rapprochement with Moscow.
If he does, America’s role as guarantor of international security will be seen effectively as over.
This could be the week we see the world order as we have known it since the end of the Second World War buried, as well as a pope.
Tens of thousands of people have packed St Peter’s Square as the funeral of Pope Francis begins.
Royals, world leaders and cardinals joined scores of worshippers at the Vatican, as mourning of the 266th pontiff transcended wealth and social class.
In keeping with Francis’s life as a breaker of tradition, many of the more elaborate and expensive rituals customary for the burial of popes have been foregone in favour of simpler options.
Around 200,000 people are attending the funeral, with around 50,000 packing out St Peter’s Square.
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His body had been lying in state since his death aged 88 on Easter Monday, spending the last few days in St Peter’s Basilica to allow mourners to pay their respects.
The Vatican – where the funeral service is taking place – and Rome – where Francis will be laid to rest – are under heavy security, with a no-fly zone in place overhead.
Image: The coffin of Pope Francis is borne aloft by pallbearers. Pic: Reuters
Image: Members of the clergy gathered to say farewell to their pontiff. Pic: Reuters
Francis’s coffin has been taken out into St Peter’s Square where 220 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests are sitting in rows, waiting to say goodbye to the Bishop of Rome.
A series of readings and prayers are being read before the 50,000 faithful gathered before the basilica, and the coffin will be sprinkled with holy water and incense.
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2:27
Singing rings out at the Vatican
Image: Members of the clergy stand in St Peter’s Square. Pic: Reuters
It began with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re reading the Penitential Act – a way for the faithful to confess their sinfulness.
This was followed by the Liturgy of the Word, a part in Catholic mass where faithful gather to hear and reflect on the word of God.
Cardinal Re then delivered the homily, speaking about Pope Francis’ life and service to God.
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0:52
Applause breaks out as Zelenskyy arrives
Image: Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re read the homily
The cardinal praised the pontiff as someone who “touched the minds and hearts of people” who was “attentive to the signs of the times”.
He added: “Despite his frailty and suffering towards the end, Pope Francis chose to follow this path of self-giving until the last day of his earthly life.”
He said Francis “was a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone”.
Image: Tens of thousands pack St Peter’s Square for the funeral. Pic: AP
Image: Clergy seated during the funeral. Pic: AP
At the end of the mass, the choir will sing in Latin: “May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come and welcome you and take you into the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.”
After the service, Pope Francis’s body will be taken in procession through the streets of Rome to his final resting place at his favourite church, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Image: Worshippers outside the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Pic: Reuters
He will be ushered into the basilica – dedicated to the Virgin Mary – by prisoners and migrants, a last reflection of his priorities as pope.
In a break with tradition, the Popeoutlined in his will his request to be buried “in the ground, without particular ornamentation” but simply with the inscription “Franciscus”.