Ukraine closes sea area in north-western part of Black Sea to repel Russian aggression

Ukraine has closed a sea area in the north-western part of the Black Sea since February 24, 2022 to repel Russian aggression from the sea.

The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“The Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is declaring that Ukraine has closed a sea area in the north-western part of the Black Sea since February 24, 2022 to repel armed Russian aggression from the sea,” the report states.

The purpose of closing the sea area is to secure civil ships from the threats posed by the criminal activities of the aggressor state and to create conditions for the Ukrainian Naval Forces to respond to the unlawful presence of Russian navy vessels within Ukraine’s territorial waters, which are launching missile strikes on Ukraine’s sovereign territory, including civil infrastructure facilities, resulting in devastation and casualties among civilians.

“Ukraine considers it criminal to use its maritime space to launch strikes against land as part of Russia’s assault on the territory of Ukraine. The Black Sea must once again become a place of peace, safety and development,” the ministry stressed.

The Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry also noted that, in its activities, the Ukrainian Naval Forces rely on the support from partner nations.

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