DISINFO: The Ukrainian navy violated Russian borders in the Azov Sea
SUMMARY
On November 25, three ships of the Ukrainian navy violated Russian borders in the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait. They were carrying out dangerous manoeuvrers, ignoring the legitimate demands of the Russian authorities.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Ukraine violating Russian territorial integrity in the Sea of Azov. The use of the Kerch strait and the Sea of Azov is regulated by a bilateral treaty between Russia and Ukraine, signed in 2003 and ratified by Russia in 2004. According to the document, the Sea of Azov is considered to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine. On November 25 border patrol boats belonging to Russia’s FSB security service seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and a tug boat and their crews after opening fire at them, wounding several Ukrainian servicemen.