The Russian move in the Black Sea is even more in violation of international law because there are disputes over the status of the Sea of Azov, which Moscow argues is an internal body of water. But extending such claims to portions of the Black Sea is even more in violation of Law of the Sea and other international rules.
Moreover, unless and until Moscow rescinds this announcement and pulls back its ships from any effort to enforce its provisions, there is a risk that the Russian military will retain the capacity to attack Ukraine from the sea even if it has pulled back from the Ukrainian border on land.
At the very least, Russia’s publication of this announcement shows that the supposed end of a Russian threat to Ukraine should be treated with extreme skepticism as indeed some experts have suggested.
That is because Moscow has moved ships with landing craft capabilities from its Caspian Flotilla into the region, vessels that could be used against Ukraine from the sea.
Read More:
- Russia effectively seizes control of Sea of Azov, threatening Ukraine
- Putin may have pulled back from Ukraine border but he did not back down, experts warn
- Kyiv and Moscow square off over legal arrangements for the Black Sea
- Black Sea gas deposits – an overlooked reason for Russia’s occupation of Crimea
- Russia’s strategy in the Sea of Azov: The Kerch Bridge, artificial shipping delays and continued harm to Ukraine
- Russia’s long-term disinformation plan for the Azov Sea
- Russian aggression in the Azov Sea has been ongoing since May 2018
