Ukraine decides to strengthen naval presence in the Sea of Azov
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) decided to strengthen the naval presence in the Sea of Azov, reported the press service of the NSDC following a meeting.
"The NSDC of Ukraine approved a set of measures aimed at protecting national interests in the southern regions and waters of the Azov and Black Seas, in particular, strengthening the naval presence in the Sea of Azov, creating a naval armored group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as developing an appropriate infrastructure, units of coastal defense with the latest high-precision missile weapons, etc.,” the report said.
It is noted that the Cabinet of Ministers is instructed to urgently adopt the Maritime Doctrine and improve the legal framework for protecting national interests in the waters of the Azov and Black Seas, to work out a common position of Ukraine and international counterparts in counteracting anthropogenic catastrophe that occurred in the north of the Crimea annexed by Russia and provide measures to counteract its spread to the southern part of the mainland Ukraine.
According to the agreement of 2004 between Ukraine and Russia on cooperation in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, the Sea of Azov served for internal use.
In 2018, Russia began to detain the ships (going to/from Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov) for inspection. The Ukrainian State Border Service considers this a method of economic pressure. NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov said that this was the beginning of the military and economic blockade of the Azov Coast.