Two more Russian warships enter the Azov Sea
On October 24, Russia brought two more military ships to the Azov Sea with a third on the way, stated the Head of the State Border Service of Ukraine, Petro Tsyhykal during the Lviv Forum on security issues, Ukrinform reports.
“Yesterday, two patrol boats, the Syktyvkar and the Kizlyar were brought to Azov Port via Russia's inland waters and now they are in the waters of the Azov Sea," he said. He also said that the towing of another ship, the Steregushchiy started today. "According to our information, she has crossed Yaroslavl. We are waiting for it to arrive in Azov as well.”
The Head of the Ukrainain State Border Service said that apart from these ships, Russia has already stationed more than 120 ships and boats in the Azov Sea. “As of today, the situation is pretty serious, pretty ominous," he summarized.
The Russian government has provided its Defense Ministry with an area in the Azov Sea to use for the next 20 years.
On September 6 at a session of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), Ukraine decided to reinforce its Naval presence in the Sea of Azov in connection with Russia’s aggressive actions. On October 12, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko brought into effect the NSDC’s decision to protect Ukraine’s interests in the Sea of Azov, the Black Sea and the Kerch Strait to the south and east of Ukraine. According to Poroshenko, after the occupation of Crimea, the Kremlin’s next target is to occupy the Sea of Azov.