Russia blocks the Kerch Strait
US, WASHINGTON (ORDO NEWS) — Ukraine continues to make statements aimed at confrontation in the Sea of Azov. This time, the Kiev authorities did not like the decision of Russia to restrict the movement of warships through the Kerch Strait in connection with the conduct of exercises of the Russian Navy in the water area of the region. And the Ukrainian Navy has traditionally accused the Russian border guards of provocative actions.
The Russian Federation announced the closure from next week until October 2021 of a part of the Black Sea in the direction of the Kerch Strait for warships and ships of other countries under the pretext of military exercises. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Ukrainian diplomats are preparing a note of protest against this decision of the Russian Federation.
The restriction will operate from April 24 to October 31 this year. Thus, during the specified time, all warships and state vessels, except for Russian ones, are prohibited from passing through the Kerch Strait.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, this is “another attempt, in violation of the norms and principles of international law, to usurp the sovereign rights of Ukraine as a coastal state.” Moreover, it is a violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
In addition, the Ukrainian Navy said that on Friday night in the Sea of Azov, Russian FSB boats carried out a provocation against a boat group of the Ukrainian Navy. The latter were on alert, writes the press service of the Ukrainian Navy. The Russian side tried to interfere with the “legal actions” of Ukrainian boats.
“Despite the provocations and purposeful actions of the Russians to restrict free shipping, the tactical boat tactical group of the Ukrainian Navy continued to carry out the assigned tasks,” the message says.
The Navy notes that Ukrainian sailors will continue to ensure the security of Ukraine from the sea, including in the Sea of Azov, guided solely by the norms of International Maritime Law.
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