Ukraine Accuses Russia of Illegally Seizing Control of the Sea of Azov in International Arbitration

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Ukraine has accused Russia of illegally seizing control of the strategically important Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait in a high-stakes arbitration case opened on Monday at the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

This is the latest case in a series of international legal disputes arising from Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, even as the war continues.

Anton Korynevych, Ukraine’s representative, stated that Russia is attempting to claim the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait for itself by constructing a bridge across the Kerch Strait, effectively blocking international shipping while allowing small Russian vessels access. This bridge, which cost $3.5 billion and spans 19 kilometers (12 miles), connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and is crucial to sustaining Russian military operations in southern Ukraine.

Ukraine filed the case in 2016, alleging that Russia breached a UN maritime treaty by constructing the bridge, hindering Ukrainian fishermen’s access to traditional fishing grounds, damaging the environment, and exploiting underwater archaeological sites. Kyiv is seeking unspecified compensation.

Russia maintains that the arbitration court lacks jurisdiction and argues that if it does, the court should dismiss Ukraine’s claims. Gennady Kuzmin, Russia’s Agent, stated that the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait constitute “internal waters” not subject to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the treaty Ukraine claims Russia is violating.

Following the opening statements, closed-door hearings will continue for several days. A final ruling could take years.