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In the online comment section of this news article, many American netizens praised the strategy, exclaiming, "This is absolutely brilliant! Whoever came up with this idea is a genius!"
"When did the Ukrainians become so savvy in diplomacy? This completely changes my previous perception of them."
...
Beyond American netizens, people from Ukraine, Russia, and other countries also applauded the method, calling it incredibly clever.
If Turkey continued to obstruct them, many even suggested that Russia should just drop a "Tsar Bomba"—and they wouldn't think it was excessive.
The Tsar Bomba, also known as "Big Ivan," was a hydrogen bomb developed by the Soviet Union. Only two were ever built. One was tested on October 30, 1961, at Novaya Zemlya, while the other was reserved for research and backup.
It remains the most powerful bomb ever detonated in human history in terms of size, weight, and explosive power. Originally designed with a yield equivalent to 100 megatons of TNT, it was ultimately reduced to 50 megatons—still 7,600 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima and 4,600 times stronger than the one on Nagasaki.
...
Thanks to the method proposed by Mavi, Turkey's reasoning for blocking the passage completely fell apart. As soon as the news broke, the previously outspoken and aggressive European radicals and hypocritical moralists immediately fell silent and disappeared from the discussion.
Now, it was clear that there was no legitimate reason to hold back the aircraft carrier Varyag any longer. In other words, the European Union was about to take another loss…
Three days later, eight tugboats from Ukraine's Black Sea Shipyard set sail once again. This time, with the strong backing of both the Ukrainian and Russian governments, they no longer feared Turkish interference.
At 11:00 AM, the eight tugboats towing the Varyag aircraft carrier approached Turkish waters.
Anticipating their arrival, the Turkish Navy had already deployed three Gazi Antep-class frigates, strategically positioned along the tugboats' path. It was clear they intended to use their warships to intimidate the Ukrainian convoy into stopping and turning back.
The Gazi Antep-class frigates were equipped with an eight-cell MK-41 vertical launch system, carrying 32 ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow) surface-to-air missiles. Their combat capabilities were far beyond what the tugboats could handle.
Before the Ukrainian tugboats even got close, a loudspeaker from the leading Turkish frigate blared:
"Attention, vessels ahead! Stop immediately! You are approaching Turkish territorial waters. If you continue forward, we will take military action against you!"
"I repeat! Attention, vessels ahead! Stop immediately! You are approaching Turkish territorial waters. If you continue forward, we will take military action against you!"
The seven Ukrainian captains towing the aircraft carrier turned their eyes toward an old, weathered tugboat in the center of the convoy.
Inside that aging vessel, a Ukrainian veteran in his sixties held a rectangular silver flask filled with whiskey he had poured earlier that morning.
He had no intention of stopping. Instead, he calmly unscrewed the cap, took a swig of the strong liquor, and winced from the burning sensation. But his resolute gaze remained unchanged, unaffected by the alcohol or the Turkish Navy's threats. With unwavering determination, he steered his tugboat straight toward the Turkish warships.
Seeing the Ukrainian tugboats pressing forward without hesitation, the Turkish Navy grew visibly anxious.
"Attention, vessels ahead! Stop immediately! You are approaching Turkish territorial waters. If you continue forward, we will take military action against you!"
After delivering their final warning, the three Gazi Antep-class frigates suddenly surged forward, heading directly for the convoy! Their intent was clear—they were going to use their multi-thousand-ton warships to ram and stop the much smaller Ukrainian tugboats.
The two sides were now only a few thousand meters apart. As the Ukrainian tugboats continued their bold advance, the distance rapidly shrank—1,100 meters, then 900 meters!
The salty sea wind howled across the deck of the Ukrainian tugboats, its force slapping against the faces of the captains. The old tugboats, dwarfed by the massive Turkish warships in front of them, made for a dramatic and almost tragic sight.
800 meters! 700 meters! 600 meters!
The Ukrainian tugboats pressed on at full speed. The three Turkish warships loomed larger and larger, their massive silhouettes exuding an overwhelming sense of power.
500 meters! 400 meters! 300 meters!
With the collision imminent, the Ukrainian veteran at the helm of the old tugboat shakily unscrewed his flask, preparing to take what he believed might be the last drink of his life. Closing his eyes, he braced himself for the inevitable impact. He was ready to sacrifice everything for his country.
However, just as he closed his eyes, awaiting the brutal collision—
Boom!
Suddenly, out of nowhere, the Russian and Ukrainian navies appeared on the horizon, leading three 10,000-ton cruisers and several 8,000-ton destroyers! They looked like divine reinforcements descending from the heavens.
The sheer presence of a Kirov-class nuclear-powered battlecruiser was enough to strike fear, even from a distance. Flanked by several Sovremenny-class destroyers, the combined fleet's imposing might was undeniable. Even if Turkey deployed its entire navy, it would be hopelessly outmatched.
At that moment, a booming voice echoed from the cruiser's loudspeaker:
"Attention, Turkish vessels! If you dare to ram even a single one of our tugboats, we will immediately sink you!"
The short and powerful message resounded across the Turkish waters. Within seconds, the once-aggressive Gazi Antep-class frigates, which had been charging forward with menacing intent, abruptly changed course—veering away from the Ukrainian tugboats as if they had just encountered a lion.
It was clear they feared the overwhelming power of the Russian-Ukrainian fleet. After all, with over 400 missiles and more than 200 launchers aboard the nuclear-powered battlecruiser, Turkey's frigates wouldn't stand a chance. A few well-placed strikes, and they would be nothing more than wreckage at the bottom of the sea.
As the eight Ukrainian tugboats narrowly passed by the Turkish warships, triumphant cheers erupted from nearly every crew onboard.
Inside the old tugboat, however, the veteran remained silent. He simply lit a cigarette, squinting as he took a long drag. As a former navy serviceman, he didn't join in the celebratory shouts like the others.
Because he knew—the battle wasn't over yet.
In fact, it had only just begun.
Celebrating now was premature. True victory would only come when Turkey fully backed down and allowed them to pass. Until then, the fight wasn't finished.
(End of Chapter)