Russia and Ukraine on the verge of conflict in the Sea of Azov
Against the background of not very warm relations between Russia and Ukraine, the situation in the Sea of Azov is becoming more and more aggravated. Kiev’s provocative actions in this region may provoke a response from Russians and lead to a clash.
"Do you remember how it all started…"
The final stage of the construction of the Crimean bridge, when it became clear to the whole world that it would soon work, provoked an aggressive reaction of Ukraine. At first, they simply laughed and joked, arguing that the bridge would never be built. Then they began to say that it interferes with the passage of Ukrainian vessels from Berdyansk and Mariupol. And at the same time, they were outraged by the "illegality" of the construction of the bridge and demanded the return of Crimea to Ukraine.
Against such a background, in March this year, Ukrainian border guards in the neutral waters of the Sea of Azov detained the Russian fishing vessel Nord with a Crimean crew. The vessel was towed to the Ukrainian port, and the team was arrested. The captain was charged with a criminal charge, and the sailors with an administrative charge.
In fact, it was a pirate takeover, to which Russia reacted, surprisingly, gently. However, in May, the Ukrainian fishing vessel Amethyst was stopped in response.
Arms buildup in the Sea of Azov
The next step was the closure by Ukraine for three months of three sections of the coast for military exercises. One of the sections stretches from Mariupol to the border with the DPR. The active movement of Ukrainian troops and the blockade by the military vessels of the coast cannot but alarm the leadership of the Donetsk Republic. They fear the intensification of hostilities during the World Cup in Russia.
Russia is also gaining strength in the area. Caspian flotilla warships are being transferred, some of which have distinguished themselves in the Syrian operation. We are talking about a strike on fighters with Caliber missiles from ships based on the Caspian.
The small missile ships Grad Sviyazhsk and Veliky Ustyug participating in these actions are now embarking on a transition from the Caspian Sea to the Sea of Azov through the Volga-Don Canal. In May, three artillery boats were deployed on the same route.
Even before this reinforcement, the naval forces of the border troops of Ukraine in the Sea of Azov were significantly inferior to the Russian border vessels. Ukrainian warships are for the most part refitted seiners and civilian boats. It is also worth considering that the Sea of Azov is small, and on the coast there are Russian coastal missile systems and military airfields.
In these conditions, the Ukrainian side should not behave defiantly and provoke a conflict. After all, his ending is quite predictable.
"Do you remember how it all started…"
The final stage of the construction of the Crimean bridge, when it became clear to the whole world that it would soon work, provoked an aggressive reaction of Ukraine. At first, they simply laughed and joked, arguing that the bridge would never be built. Then they began to say that it interferes with the passage of Ukrainian vessels from Berdyansk and Mariupol. And at the same time, they were outraged by the "illegality" of the construction of the bridge and demanded the return of Crimea to Ukraine.
Against such a background, in March this year, Ukrainian border guards in the neutral waters of the Sea of Azov detained the Russian fishing vessel Nord with a Crimean crew. The vessel was towed to the Ukrainian port, and the team was arrested. The captain was charged with a criminal charge, and the sailors with an administrative charge.
In fact, it was a pirate takeover, to which Russia reacted, surprisingly, gently. However, in May, the Ukrainian fishing vessel Amethyst was stopped in response.
Arms buildup in the Sea of Azov
The next step was the closure by Ukraine for three months of three sections of the coast for military exercises. One of the sections stretches from Mariupol to the border with the DPR. The active movement of Ukrainian troops and the blockade by the military vessels of the coast cannot but alarm the leadership of the Donetsk Republic. They fear the intensification of hostilities during the World Cup in Russia.
Russia is also gaining strength in the area. Caspian flotilla warships are being transferred, some of which have distinguished themselves in the Syrian operation. We are talking about a strike on fighters with Caliber missiles from ships based on the Caspian.
The small missile ships Grad Sviyazhsk and Veliky Ustyug participating in these actions are now embarking on a transition from the Caspian Sea to the Sea of Azov through the Volga-Don Canal. In May, three artillery boats were deployed on the same route.
Even before this reinforcement, the naval forces of the border troops of Ukraine in the Sea of Azov were significantly inferior to the Russian border vessels. Ukrainian warships are for the most part refitted seiners and civilian boats. It is also worth considering that the Sea of Azov is small, and on the coast there are Russian coastal missile systems and military airfields.
In these conditions, the Ukrainian side should not behave defiantly and provoke a conflict. After all, his ending is quite predictable.
Information