Ukrainian Armed Forces strengthen their presence in the Azov Sea
Ukraine reinforced the presence of its Armed Forces along the Azov Sea coast, as stated on Facebook by the Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Serhiy Popko.
"In response to Russia’s aggressive actions in the Azov Sea, based on the decision of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, we will reinforce the deployed forces, including ground forces, in the direction of the Azov Sea,” he wrote. "To this end, we are taking measures to ensure the full control of the situation in the region, to support ship deployment, and to ensure reliable defense of the coast.”
"We are organizing our presence and control of the region with the help of combined arms brigades, artillery, and army aviation,” he added.
Russia has been detaining foreign vessels going to Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea, thereby blocking this trade channel. Ukrainian border guards stated that Russians “started a strict policy of detention and inspection of vessels" in the Kerch Strait.