Losses of the Russian navy in the fights with German forces according to the Dutch newspaper Nieuwe Limburger Koerier dated 1 October 1942

According to a news item were 52 warship sunk and another 57 damaged by German attacks. In the Baltic destroyed German bombers 2 cruisers, 9 destroyers, 5 patrol vessels, 9 minesweepers, 1 coast guard vessel and 9 other units. Damaged were one battleship, 3 heavy and 3 light cruisers, 1 auxiliary cruiser, 18 destroyers, 1 gunboat, 2 minesweepers, 1 flotilla leader and 5 other units. In the Black sea destroyed the German air force 1 battleship, 2 cruisers, 6 destroyers, 2 submarines, 2 gunboats, 1 anti aircraft floating battery, a MTB and 1 guard vessel. Damaged were 1 heavy and 6 small cruisers, 1 destroyer, 2 torpedo boats, 1 gunboat, a patrol vessel and 10 other units.

The Netherlands were at that moment conquered by Germany and the Dutch newspapers which were allowed to be published were strongly influenced by the German authorities. So if this item was really reliable can be doubted regarded the last sentence according to which the German air force was able to destroy the complete Russian merchant fleet and limiting the operational movements of the Russian navy without needing the help of the German army and/or navy.