Russia Imposes Restrictions On Aircraft And Vessel Movements In Kerch Strait

The Russian defense ministry reported that it had imposed stringent restrictions on the movement of vessels and aircraft in the Kerch Strait on Wednesday, per the TASS news agency. It did not give a reason for such a move. The Kerch Strait links the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the east of Crimea’s peninsula.

Russia’s control of the Crimean Peninsula, including the waters of the Kerch Strait, following the annexation back in 2014, has raised several concerns for Ukraine. Russian actions in controlling the strait have also increased tensions and limitations on Ukraine’s maritime access to the Sea of Azov.

This has also had significant implications for the Ukrainian economy and security, as Russia has already established a bridge over the strait that further complicates navigation for Ukraine’s vessels.

The strategic importance of Kerch Strait in navigation underscores the geopolitical issues between Russia and Ukraine, impacting the regional dynamics and the ability of both nations to conduct effective trade and maritime activities. Besides, Russia’s defense ministry mentioned that a special inspection area had been developed for vessels sailing from the Black Sea.

Russia declared on 19 July that it is going to start considering all the vessels that travel on the Black Sea to Ukraine’s ports as military cargo carriers, declaring areas in the southeastern and northwestern parts of international waters of the Black Sea as temporarily dangerous for navigation, and adding that the flag nations of vessels sailing to Ukrainian ports are going to be considered parties to the conflict on the Kyiv side.

Reference: DW, JP Post, Alarabiya

Russia Imposes Restrictions On Aircraft And Vessel Movements In Kerch Strait appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News