View source for RISS: "The Future of the Russian Black Sea Fleet"

'''Date:''' June 12th, 2025 at 16:00 CET / 10:00 EDT  
'''Platform:''' Zoom  
'''Meeting ID:''' 988 5829 4197  
'''Passcode:''' 167756  

=== Link to Video Recording ===  
Recording will be made available soon.  

=== Details ===  
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the strategic landscape of the Black Sea has undergone a profound transformation. Once considered a symbol of Russian maritime dominance, the Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) has been significantly weakened by Ukraine’s innovative and asymmetric tactics.  

The sinking of the Moskva cruiser, the recapture of Snake Island, and repeated strikes on Russian naval assets in Crimea have undermined Moscow’s ability to operate freely in the region. As a result, the BSF has shifted from an offensive posture to one focused on defense and adaptation.  

This online panel brings together a group of leading experts to discuss the findings of RISS’s new research project examining the evolution of the BSF since the onset of the war in Ukraine. The conversation will explore the Fleet’s shifting strategic role, the limitations of its traditional hub in Sevastopol, and the feasibility of alternative basing options.  

=== Biography ===  

==== Sidharth Kaushal ====  
[[File:Photo_Sidharth_Kaushal.jpg|thumb|200px|Sidharth Kaushal]]  
'''Title:''' Senior Research Fellow in Sea Power  
'''Affiliation:''' Royal United Services Institute  

Dr. Sidharth Kaushal is a Senior Research Fellow in Sea Power at RUSI’s Military Sciences team. His research at RUSI covers the impact of technology on maritime doctrine in the 21st century and the role of sea power in a state's grand strategy. Sidharth holds a doctorate in International Relations from the London School of Economics, where his research examined the ways in which strategic culture shapes the contours of a nation's grand strategy.  

==== Tatia Chikhladze ====  
[[File:Photo_Tatia_Chikhladze.jpg|thumb|200px|Tatia Chikhladze]]  
'''Title:''' Senior Research Fellow  
'''Affiliation:''' Regional Institute for Security Studies  

Dr. Tatia Chikhladze is a Senior Research Fellow at the Regional Institute for Security Studies (RISS) and Associate Professor at the British University of Georgia. Her research interests include Black Sea regional security, hybrid warfare, and resilience of post-Soviet authoritarian regimes. Tatia holds a PhD in Politics from the University of Bremen (Germany). Her dissertation focuses on strategies of post-Soviet authoritarian regimes for power preservation in times of political crisis.  

==== Papuna Davitaia ====  
[[File:Photo_Papuna_Davitaia.jpg|thumb|200px|Papuna Davitaia]]  
'''Title:''' Black Sea Security Expert  
'''Affiliation:''' University of Georgia  

Papuna Davitaia is a lecturer at the University of Georgia, security expert, and retired Commander (OF-4) with over 21 years of experience in the Georgian Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior. He has extensive expertise in maritime security, NATO operations, and defense policy. Papuna played an important role in securing Georgia’s Operational Partner Status to Operation Sea Guardian and advanced interoperability with NATO maritime forces. Currently, Papuna is pursuing a PhD in International Relations, focusing on Black Sea Regional security strategies.  

==== Richard Connolly ====  
[[File:Photo_Richard_Connolly.jpg|thumb|200px|Richard Connolly]]  
'''Title:''' Associate Fellow  
'''Affiliation:''' Royal United Services Institute  

Dr. Richard Connolly is a senior analyst covering Russia and Eurasia for Oxford Analytica, director of the consultancy Eastern Advisory Group, and an associate fellow at the Centre for New American Security (CNAS) in Washington, D.C. He was previously director of the Centre for Russian, European and Eurasian Studies (CREES) at the University of Birmingham and an associate fellow on the Russia and Eurasia Program at Chatham House. He is a specialist on Russia’s political economy.  

==== Natia Seskuria ====  
[[File:Photo_Natia_Seskuria.jpg|thumb|200px|Natia Seskuria]]  
'''Title:''' Director  
'''Affiliation:''' Regional Institute for Security Studies  

Natia Seskuria is the Founder and Executive Director of the Regional Institute for Security Studies (RISS) and an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). Natia is also a Fellow at Harvard University and an associate professor in Russian politics. Natia’s research focuses on Russia’s domestic and foreign policy, in particular Russia’s relations with its neighbors, strategic approach to occupied regions, relations with the West, and the use of active measures. Natia is a frequent commentator on major media outlets including BBC, France 24, and CNN.  

=== Additional Resources ===  
* '''[[Main Page#Calendar|Current Calendar]]'''  
* '''[[RSI Research|All RSI Research]]'''