Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia has “lost the Black Sea” during events marking Ukraine’s Navy Day, crediting Ukraine’s Naval Forces and other Defense and Security Forces for shifting the balance in the maritime domain.

Speaking during a meeting with Ukraine’s naval command, Zelenskyy said the “impossible” had been achieved, adding that Ukraine’s actions—from the liberation of Snake Island to strikes targeting Russia’s fleet, ports, and occupation forces in Crimea—show the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov would not become safe spaces for Russia.

Footage from the meeting showed a status board with Ukraine’s figures for losses and damage inflicted on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. The chart listed: 33 principal combat ships (4 destroyed, 8 damaged), 34 landing ships (15 destroyed, 10 damaged), and 23 auxiliary vessels (3 destroyed, 9 damaged).

During the same visit, Zelenskyy also presented honors to naval units and announced plans to establish a new Naval Academy in Odesa to expand officer training for Ukraine’s growing navy.