Contents tagged with Azov Sea

  • Russia closes passage to ships through the Kerch Strait into Azov Sea

    Russia has closed the passage of ships loaded outside of Russia through the Kerch Strait into the Sea of Azov, reported TASS, citing the Main Directorate of Maritime Affairs under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey.

    "According to the official notification that we received from the maritime administration of the Russian Federation, the passage of ships loaded outside the territory of the Russian Federation to the north through the Kerch Strait, which provides passage to the …

  • Ukrainian troops rehearse Russian invasion scenario from Azov Sea

    Troops from Ukraine’s Joint Forces Operation (JFO) practiced repelling a virtual enemy landing force coming from the Azov Sea, the JFO headquarters reported on Facebook.

    With the support of tanks, artillery and aircraft, the anti-landing reserve forces “destroyed” the imaginary enemy’s first wave of landing forces, and did not allow the second wave to land.

    The drill was conducted because the “waters and the Ukrainian coast of the Sea of Azov still remain high-risk zones for growing military …

  • The Hague court to broadcast Ukraine against Russia dispute over violations in the Black Sea

    On June 10, 2019, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague will begin a hearing of Ukraine and Russia dispute over the rights in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait. This information has been published on the court’s website.

    On the day of the hearing, the representatives of Russia will speak from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:30 to 17:30 with the possibility of additional time from 17:30 to 18:00. Ukraine’s representatives will speak on a similar schedule on June 11.

    The …

  • Ukrainian President: EU to introduce 'Azov sanctions' against Russia next week

    Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told journalists in Munich that the European Union will approve the “Azov sanctions package" against Russia next week, Interfax-Ukraine reports.

    "I have no doubt that in the near future, at the beginning of next week, after coordinating efforts with Ukraine, sanctions will definitely be adopted in Brussels,” Poroshenko stated. He said that the "the Azov sanctions package" against Russia was discussed with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Chairman …

  • Dutch NATO warship intends to enter the Black Sea

    Ukraine’s Mission to NATO Head Vadym Prystaiko stated on TV channel “112 Ukraine” that a Dutch warship, head of a permanent NATO group, plans to enter the Black Sea, Interfax-Ukraine reports.

    “If one reads the official statement by the US Defense Department regarding the ship [USS Fort McHenry large landing ship] entering   the Black Sea, then it is understood that the ship comes to provide support to NATO allies and partners. There are three NATO allies in the Black Sea: Bulgaria, Romania and …

  • Captain of ship captured by Russia tells investigators he is a prisoner of war

    Bohdan Nebylytsya, captain of the Ukrainian armored boat the Nikopol, which was captured several weeks ago near the Kerch Strait, told Russia’s FSB that he considers himself a prisoner of war, reported attorney Mykola Polozov.

    “As with the other sailors, Nebylytsya was investigated, we have been informed of several orders to set up expert assessments. They have also interrogated him. During the interrogation, he said that he is a prisoner of war,” Polozov noted.

    “Emil Kurbedinov, the defense …

  • Latvia condemns the blockade of the Azov Sea by Russia

    The blockade of the Azov Sea is another proof of Russia's consistent destructive regional policy. Russia continues aggression in the Donbas and does nothing to de-escalate the conflict, said Latvian President Raimonds Vējonis at a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kyiv, Ukrinform reported.

    "Latvia strongly condemns Russian aggression in Donbas. Unfortunately, Moscow does not take any steps to de-escalate the conflict. The blockade of the Sea of Azov is another proof …

  • Ukrainian President: For the first time European Council discussed Russian aggressive actions in the Sea of Azov

    The European Council discussed Russia's aggressive actions in the Sea of Azov for the first time, stated Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

     “I welcome the promising results of the work of the Ukrainian-American Strategic Partnership Commission which has been revived after a long pause. Grateful to Donald Trump , State Secretary Mike Pompeo, all American friends for a shoulder of strong support and unwavering solidarity with Ukraine!” Poroshenko wrote on Twitter.

    In addition, Poroshenko …

  • Ukraine promises a harsh response if Russia closes the Azov Sea

    Iryna Lutsenko, the Ukrainian president’s representative in the Verkhovna Rada stated that there will be a severe response if Russia closes the Sea of Azov.

    According to her, in this case, Kyiv will appeal to international courts, reports Ukrinform. Also, “there will be a reaction from the Security Services of Ukraine and the Border Patrol.”

    Lutsenko noted that the countries would have to use an international convention since agreements on the use of the Azov Sea were not signed. She also …

  • Ukrainian Navy Commander: conflict with Russia in Black Sea is highly probable

    During “Freedom of speech” program on ICTV, Ukrainian Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ihor Voronchenko said that Russia may resort to escalation in the Black Sea.

    Ukraine recently stated that it intends to establish a naval base in the Sea of Azov due to Russia's hostile activities in the region. Voronchenko believes that the situation in the Black Sea could become as tense as the situation in the Sea of Azov.

    “They [Russia] are already questioning the crews when ships flying our flag or other …