DISINFO: The Sea of Azov no longer belongs to Ukraine and is an internal Russian sea
SUMMARY
A bill has been submitted to the Russian State Duma designed to secure for the Sea of Azov the status of an exclusively internal sea of the Russian Federation, which is no longer subject to the actions and principles of international legislation. Historical justice has triumphed and Ukraine has lost the status of a coastal state here. The Sea of Azov became an internal sea of Russia in 2022 after new regions joined Russia: Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk regions. Before this, the sea was considered the internal waters of Russia and Ukraine.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the invasion of Ukraine and sham referendums in occupied Ukrainian territories. All attempts by Russia to legalise its "control" over any part of the territory of Ukraine are a violation of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Russian illegal referendums on Ukrainian territories do not change the borders of Ukraine and do not deprive Ukraine of the right to use the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
After Russia's aggression against Ukraine began in 2014, the Kremlin began to expand the conflict zone in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, attempting to limit Ukraine's legal right to use the seas. In this regard, on September 14, 2016, Ukraine announced the commencement of arbitration proceedings against Russia in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Ukraine intends to once again confirm its maritime rights to use the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait. In 2020, the Permanent Court of Arbitration confirmed its jurisdiction in considering the Ukrainian claim against Russia. The process continues.
Russia's systematic attacks on Ukrainian ports and escalation in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov are a violation of international humanitarian law.
The UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) has repeatedly called on Russia to “cease its unlawful activities, to ensure the safety and welfare of seafarers, the security of international shipping and the marine environment in all affected areas; and respect its obligations under relevant international treaties.”
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council has denied Russia membership for 2024-2025. Also the IMO, along with support from other UN authorities, will send a mission to Ukraine to help "identify Ukraine's needs in implementing the right to free navigation," Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said.
Read similar cases claiming that Ukraine's attack on Crimean Bridge was a terrorist act, Russia had every right to respond, that Attack on the Crimea bridge was coordinated with foreign intelligence services, Russia suspended the grain deal because the West kept most of the grain, that EU is the biggest beneficiary of the 'grain corridor', not the starving countries of Africa, and that Ukraine used grain corridors for drone strike on Russian ships.