Kerch Strait incident

Coordinates: 44°51′00″N 36°23′04″E / 44.85000°N 36.38444°E / 44.85000; 36.38444
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  • 2018 Kerch Strait incident
Part of Ukrainian crisis and Russian military intervention in Ukraine

Yany Kapu tugboat attacked by Don patrol boat as seen by Ukrainian Gyurza-M artillery boat
Date25 November 2018
Location
Autonomous Republic of CrimeaKerch Strait
44°51′00″N 36°23′04″E / 44.85000°N 36.38444°E / 44.85000; 36.38444
Result
Belligerents
 Russia  Ukraine
Strength
2 Gun boats
1 Tugboat
Casualties and losses
2 ships damaged 23 captured (6 of them injured), 3 ships captured (2 gunboats, 1 tugboat; two of the ships damaged)[3][4][5][6]
Kerch Strait is located in Black Sea
Kerch Strait
Kerch Strait
class=notpageimage|
Location within Black Sea

The 2018 Kerch Strait incident occurred on 25 November 2018 when a Russian cargo ship stopped three Ukrainian Navy vessels from passing under the Kerch Strait Bridge.[7] Russia fired on and seized three Ukrainian vessels off the coast of annexed Crimea. Two gunboats and a tug were captured by Russian special forces after a chase. According to Ukraine, six Ukrainian crew members were injured.[3]

Later that day, Ukrainian Preisdent Poroshenko said signed a decree on martial law, and sent to the parliament for approval.[3]

Oleksandr Turchynov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, has reportedly said that the incident was an act of war by Russia.[8] He has also stated that active military preparations have been spotted along the border on the Russian side.[9]

Events

Ukraine has accused Russia of illegally seizing three of its ships in the Kerch Strait after opening fire on them. The vessels are the Gyurza-M class gunboats Berdyansk and Nikopol and the tugboat Yany Kapu.[3]

In approach of Ukrainian ships to the Kerch Strait, Russia blocked the passage of civilian ships through it.[10]

Russia did not immediately or directly respond to the allegation, but Russian news agencies cited the Federal Security Service (FSB) as saying it had incontrovertible proof that Ukraine had orchestrated what it called "a provocation" and would publicise its evidence soon. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has immediately called a meeting with his top military and security chiefs to discuss the situation.[11]

The crisis began earlier after Russia stopped the three Ukrainian ships from entering the Sea of Azov via the Kerch Strait by placing a cargo ship beneath a Russian-controlled bridge. The Ukrainian navy said on social media that two Ukrainian sailors had been wounded in the subsequent seizure of its ships and that the alleged Russian attack on them had occurred after they had retreated and headed back towards Odessa, the Black Sea port from where they had begun their journey. It also said in a Facebook post that two ships, Berdyansk and the Nicopol, were damaged.[12] "After leaving the 12-mile zone, the Russian Federation's FSB opened fire at the flotilla belonging to... the armed forces of Ukraine," the navy said,[13] with officials from both countries accusing the other of provocative behaviour.[14]

Also two Russian ships get damaged while ramming tugboat Yany Kapu (one Russian ship hits another in process).[15][16][17]

Earlier, Russia's border guard service had accused Ukraine of not informing it in advance of the ships' journey, something Kyiv denied, and said the Ukrainian ships had been manoeuvring dangerously and ignoring its instructions with the aim of stirring up tensions. Russian politicians denounced Kiev, saying the incident looked like a calculated attempt by Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko to increase his popularity ahead of an election next year.[18]

In the morning of 26 November, photos of the captured Ukrainian ships in Kerch were published.[19] In the photos, Russian servicemen are attempting to camouflage the ships.

On 26 November, Ukrainian commercial ports operated normally, according to APK-Inform,[20] after the Kerch Strait was reopened to civil shipping in the early morning.[21]

According to intelligence, the state of health Ukrainian Naval Forces servicemen victims of the attack in the Kerch Strait is satisfactory. Six Ukrainian soldiers were wounded and injured. Three of them are operated and are located in the Pirogov Kerch City Hospital № 1.[22]

Escalation in Donetsk

There are conflicting reports of an escalation in Donetsk. Some reports in Russian media are stating that Ukraine has launched a massive artillery barrage.[23]

Reactions

Domestic

  • Ukraine: Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has summoned his war cabinet, Kyiv's national security council confirmed on Sunday.[24] Ukraine called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council over the attack of Russia.[25]
  • Russia: Russia's FSB has laid blame on Ukraine for sparking the clashes, saying their "irrefutable" evidence "will soon be made public".[24] The Deputy Chairman of the State Duma; Pyotr Olegovich Tolstoy had warned on Facebook that “the Ukrainian puppet authorities are risking unleashing a large military conflict”.[26]
    • Republic of Crimea: Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov said "Today, Ukrainian warships illegally crossed Russia’s border and blatantly violated norms of international law. I am sure Western patrons of the Kiev regime are behind this provocation it doesn’t look a mere coincidence that European and American politicians have been so concerned over the situation in the Sea of Azov in the recent months. Ukraine, as a country stripped of sovereignty and being under external governance, is an instrument for whipping up international tensions.”[27]

International

  • Australia: “Australia is concerned at developments in the Sea of Azov. We fully support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and call on Russia to restore navigation rights at the Kerch Strait,” the Australian Embassy in Ukraine wrote on Twitter.[28]
  • Canada: "We call on Russia to de-escalate immediately, release the captured vessels and enable normal maritime traffic to resume" Canada’s Foreign Ministry wrote on Twitter.[29]
  • European Union: On the 25th, the EU called on Russia and Ukraine to "act with utmost restraint to de-escalate" the situation in the Black Sea.[30] The following day, the President of the European Council Donald Tusk said in a tweet on Monday on the 26th “I condemn Russian use of force in Azov Sea.” He added that “Russian authorities must return Ukrainian sailors, vessels and refrain from further provocations.” President Tusk added; "Europe will stay united in support of Ukraine.”[31]
    • Estonia: Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas has called on an extraordinary meeting of the government security committee to discuss the Russian action against Ukraine in the Black Sea and nearby areas and said that “what took place in the Kerch Strait is a serious violation of international law“.[32]
    • Denmark: Minister of Foreign Affairs Anders Samuelsen, said “Denmark clearly and unambiguously supports Ukraine and we urge the Russians to halt their aggression. We must see to the de-escalation of the situation, and Russia has a big responsibility in doing so."[33]
    • France: "Nothing appears to have justified the use of force by Russia," the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs said in a statement and added "We urge Russia to release the Ukrainian sailors and hand back the seized naval vessels as soon as possible."[34]
    • Germany: German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Twitter on Monday, where he urged both sides to de-escalate the conflict and that "developments in Ukraine are worrying."[35]
    • Poland: The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “With full force we condemn Russia’s aggressive behavior and we call on (the country’s) leadership to respect international law."[36]
  • NATO: Oana Lungescu, NATO spokesperson said “NATO is closely monitoring developments in the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait, and we are in contact with the Ukrainian authorities. We call for restraint and de-escalation.”[37]
  • Turkey: “As a country sharing a Black Sea coast, we underline that passage through Kerch Strait should not be blocked,” Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.[38]
  • United Nations: "An emergency Security Council meeting has been called for tomorrow at 11:00am," United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley tweeted on the 25th.[39]

References

  1. ^ "Ukraine's Security Council proposes to impose martial law in the country for 60 days". Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ a b c d "Russia seizes Ukrainian naval ships". 25 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018 – via www.bbc.com.
  4. ^ "Russian ships used weapons to stop & seize Ukrainian vessels violating territorial waters – FSB". Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Росія захопила понад 20 українських моряків — представник президента в Криму". Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Russia seizes Ukrainian ships near annexed Crimea". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  7. ^ Osborn, Andrew. "Russia seizes Ukrainian ships near annexed Crimea after firing on them". Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Турчинов: РФ вперше відкрито атакувала Збройні сили України". zik.ua. ZIK. 2018-11-26. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  9. ^ "Турчинов заявив про активну підготовку військових підрозділів РФ на кордонах з Україною". www.unian.ua. UNIAN. 2018-11-26. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  10. ^ "Росія перекрила прохід цивільних суден через Керченську протоку". www.pravda.com.ua. Ukrayinska Pravda. 2018-11-25. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  11. ^ "Порошенко скликав воєнний кабінет на 22:00 через агресію Росії на морі". espreso.tv. Espreso TV. 2018-11-25. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  12. ^ "Russia accused of firing on Ukrainian ship in naval standoff". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  13. ^ Osborn, Andrew. "Russia seizes Ukrainian ships near annexed Crimea after firing on them". Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  14. ^ "Ukraine Considering Martial Law After Russia Opens Fire On Black Sea Ships". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  15. ^ "Захоплених українських моряків етапували в Керч". mil.in.ua. Ukrainian Military Portal. 2018-11-26. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  16. ^ "Під час конфлікту в Азовському морі пошкоджений російський корабель". ukr.segodnya.ua. Segodnya. 2018-11-25. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  17. ^ "Российский пограничный корабль таранил буксир ВМС Украины и получил пробоину [Russian border ship rammed tug of the Ukrainian Navy and got a hole]". dumskaya.net. Думська. 2018-11-25. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  18. ^ "Russia fires on Ukrainian vessels in Black Sea; 2 wounded". 25 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  19. ^ "Фото захоплених українських кораблів у Керчі". www.ukrmilitary.com. Ukrainian Military Pages. 2018-11-26.
  20. ^ "Ukraine's Azov Sea ports operating normally despite tensions with Russia". Reuters. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  21. ^ "Passage through Kerch Strait open for civilian vessels after Ukraine standoff". TASS. 26 November 2018.
  22. ^ "Трьох поранених українських моряків прооперували у Керчі - розвідка". www.ukrinform.ua. Ukrinform. 2018-11-26. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  23. ^ Sputnik. "Ukrainian Forces Pound Donbass Residential Area with Heavy Artillery". sputniknews.com. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  24. ^ a b "Ukrainian president summons war cabinet after Russia 'fires on ships'". 25 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  25. ^ "«Україна звернулася до Ради безпеки ООН через напад російських кораблів на українські.»". www.radiosvoboda.org (in Ukrainian). Радіо «Свобода». 25 November 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  26. ^ AFP. "'Unleashing conflict': Ukraine says Russia opened fire on navy ships". Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  27. ^ Osborne, Simon (25 November 2018). "World War 3: Russia blames Trump and Europe after Putin warship RAMS tugboat in Black Sea". Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  28. ^ "Australia calls on Russia to restore navigation rights at Kerch Strait – embassy". www.ukrinform.net. Ukrinform. 2018-11-26. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  29. ^ https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2587390-canada-calls-on-russia-to-resume-maritime-traffic-in-sea-of-azov.html
  30. ^ News, ABC. "The Latest: EU calls for restraint from Russia, Ukraine". Retrieved 26 November 2018. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  31. ^ https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/global-community-responds-russia-firing-ukraine-nato-eu
  32. ^ http://www.dailyjournal.net/2018/11/26/eu-russia-ukraine-the-latest-2/
  33. ^ http://cphpost.dk/news/denmark-backs-ukraine-in-crimea-drama.html
  34. ^ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-france/france-urges-russia-to-free-ukrainian-sailors-idUSKCN1NV1IV
  35. ^ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-germany/germany-russian-blockade-of-sea-of-azov-is-unacceptable-idUSKCN1NV11V
  36. ^ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-poland/polands-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-condemns-russian-aggression-in-azov-sea-idUSKCN1NV0OT
  37. ^ Greenfield, Patrick (25 November 2018). "Ukraine president proposes martial law after Russia's ship seizure". the Guardian. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  38. ^ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-turkey-idUSKCN1NV0NA
  39. ^ Conradis, Brandon (25 November 2018). "Haley: UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Ukraine-Russia tensions". Retrieved 26 November 2018.

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