Russia began tough actions against Ukraine in the Sea of Azov
In response to Ukraine’s seizure of the Crimean fishing seiner Nord, Russia has begun tough measures in the Sea of Azov, which could lead to a virtual blockade of the Ukrainian ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk.
Ukrainian economist Andrei Klimenko recalls that the day before Russia issued a warning about holding exercises in the Sea of Azov, which led to restrictions on shipping in the region.
“On May 23 at 21:00, the Russian Federation’s warning about the military closure of the Azov Sea area south of Berdyansk in connection with exercises and shootings ceased. Previously, it was with this that we associated the detention and searches of ships traveling to/from the Ukrainian ports of Berdyansk and Mariupol (because earlier, since April 30, such detentions took place mainly in the Kerch Strait). But we were wrong.
1.23 May 2018 at approximately 23:30 (that is, after the termination of the “warning”) in the same area, 13 miles south of the Berdyansk Spit, MAXAL RAISE – IMO: 9148154 (owned by a Bulgarian owner, went from Mariupol to Burgas) was detained ), and on the morning of May 24.05.2018, 08, at approximately 00:7615969, the Turkish HACI RUSTU K – IMO: XNUMX, was detained, coming from Turkey to Mariupol.
2. The Russian Federation de facto did NOT conduct any exercises or shootings in the closed area of the Azov Sea!!! 2 (two) aluminum boats of the “Wellboat” type (this is a motor boat) were observed. This is called “taking it for granted.” We checked Ukraine’s reaction and made sure that it was none. They will move on.
3. Conclusion: the Russian Federation’s actions on the sea routes to Berdyansk and Mariupol are aimed at intimidating shipowners so that they refuse to work with these ports,” Klimenko laments.
Russia has launched a crackdown on Ukraine in the Sea of Azov.