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Blocked ships in Ukrainian ports during the war: The port of Mariupol
08 April 2022
The Monitoring Group of the Black Sea Institute of Strategic Studies and BlackSeaNews wishes to bring to your attention a new series of articles about the fate of ships that were in Ukrainian ports on 24 February 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of many regions of Ukraine.
Blocked ships in Ukrainian ports during the war: The Berdiansk port
28 March 2022
The Monitoring Group of the Black Sea Institute of Strategic Studies and BlackSeaNews wishes to bring to your attention a new series of articles about the fate of ships that were in Ukrainian ports on 24 February 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of many regions of Ukraine. So, what is the fate of the ships that were at that time in the commercial seaport of Berdiansk?
The Presence of Russian Warships in the Mediterranean Sea as of 9 March 2022
09 March 2022
The formation of a huge "Mediterranean Squadron" of the Russian Navy in February 2022, using the Northern, Baltic, and Pacific Fleets’ ships allowed the Russian Black Sea Fleet to return a large number of ships to the Black Sea a few days (weeks) before Russia’s attack on Ukraine. In addition, Russia redeployed 7 amphibious assault ships from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, including 6 major amphibious assault ships of the Northern and Baltic Fleets. However, the fact that Russia has failed to redeploy additional powerful missile surface combatants to the Black Sea has called into question the effectiveness of a possible amphibious operation on the Ukrainian Black Sea coast.
The Duration of Artificial Delays of Vessels in the Kerch Strait. The Monitoring for January 2022
16 February 2022
In January 2022, vessels carrying exports from Mariupol and Berdiansk were delayed at the exit from the Sea of Azov by the RF for an average of 60.6 hours. In 2019–2020, due to the threat of the "Azov package" of international sanctions, there was a slight decrease in the average duration of artificial delays of ships at the exit from the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea: in 2018 − 79.5 hours; in 2019 − up to 37.4; in 2020 − 29.6. In 2021, this figure increased significantly to 39.8 hours per vessel.
Increased Risks. Obstruction of Traffic in the Black and Azov Seas by Russia due to the Closure of Sea Areas for Military Exercises as of 15 February 2022
15 February 2022
This analytical review presents the results and conclusions made by the Monitoring Group of Black Sea Institute of Strategic Studies and the editorial board of BlackSeaNews based on monitoring in January-February 2022 the following area: Obstruction of traffic in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov by the Russian Federation due to closures of sea areas for or under the pretext of military exercises.
The Presence of Russian Warships in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea in January 2022
01 February 2022
In January 2022, the number of Russian warships in the Mediterranean Sea changed dramatically. 6 major landing ships from the Baltic and Northern Fleets joined the "Mediterranean Squadron" of the Russian Federation. A missile cruiser and a missile frigate from the Pacific Fleet are expected to arrive via the Suez Canal. Thus, in February 2022, the Russian naval group in the Mediterranean Sea will have 18 major warships, including 8 missile ships (in December 2021, these figures were 8 and 5 respectively)
The Duration of Artificial Delays of Vessels in the Kerch Strait. The Monitoring for December 2021
05 January 2022
From December 2018 to December 2020, due to the threat of the "Azov package" of international sanctions against Russian ports on the Sea of Azov, there was a slight decrease in the average duration of artificial delays of ships at the exit from the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea: in 2018 − 79.5 hours; in 2019 − up to 37.4 hours; in 2020 − 29.6 hours per vessel. In 2021, this figure has increased significantly to 39.8 hours per vessel and already exceeded those for 2019 and 2020.
International Security Risks in the Azov-Black Sea Region in November-December 2021
20 December 2021
Russia is continuing to prepare for war. Increased obstruction of traffic in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov has been recorded. The possibility of military action on the Ukrainian coast of the Sea of Azov, in particular airborne assault and amphibious operations, cannot be ruled out. The risk of Russian aggression will increase during the winter holidays and the Winter Olympics in China. The almost continuous presence in the Black Sea of powerful NATO missile ships is an effective deterrent to the aggressor.
Closure of the Azov-Black Sea Region in November-December 2021
16 December 2021
The Monitoring Group of the Institute of Black Sea Strategic Studies and BlackSeaNews reports about closure of the various areas of the Black Sea and Azov Sea in November-December, 2021.
The Duration of Artificial Delays of Vessels in the Kerch Strait. The Monitoring for November 2021
12 December 2021
From December 2018 to December 2020, due to the threat of the "Azov package" of international sanctions against Russian ports on the Sea of Azov, there was a slight decrease in the average duration of artificial delays of ships at the exit from the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea: in 2018 − 79.5 hours; in 2019 − up to 37.4 hours; in 2020 − 29.6 hours per vessel. However, over the first 11 months of 2021, this figure has increased significantly to 39.4 hours per vessel and already exceeded those for 2019 and 2020...
The Duration of Artificial Delays of Vessels in the Kerch Strait. The Monitoring for October 2021
16 November 2021
From December 2018 to December 2020, due to the threat of the "Azov package" of international sanctions against Russian ports on the Sea of Azov, there was a slight decrease in the average duration of arbitrary delays of ships before leaving the Sea of Azov for the Black Sea: in 2018 − 79.5 hours; in 2019 − up to 37.4 hours; in 2020 − 29.6 hours per vessel. However, for 9 months of 2021, this figure has increased significantly to 39.7 hours per vessel.
Closure of the Black Sea in October, 2021
08 November 2021
The Monitoring Group of the Institute of Black Sea Strategic Studies, BlackSeaNews and Maidan of Foreign Affairs reports about closure of the various areas of the Black Sea in October, 2021.
The Duration of Artificial Delays of Vessels in the Kerch Strait. The Monitoring for September 2021
19 October 2021
In September 2021, the average duration of artificial delays of vessels going from the Black Sea to the Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov, Mariupol and Berdiansk, by the RF was 22,4 hours. In September 2021, vessels carrying exports from Mariupol and Berdiansk were delayed at the exit from the Sea of Azov by the Russian Federation for an average of 39,7 hours
Closure of the Black Sea in September, 2021
13 October 2021
The Monitoring Group of the Institute of Black Sea Strategic Studies, BlackSeaNews and Maidan of Foreign Affairs reports about closure of the various areas of the Black Sea in September, 2021.
The Duration of Artificial Delays of Vessels in the Kerch Strait. The Monitoring for July and August 2021
13 September 2021
In July 2021, the average duration of artificial delays of vessels going from the Black Sea to the Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov, Mariupol and Berdiansk, by the RF was 31,2 hours., in August 2021 – 15,3 hours. In July 2021, vessels carrying exports from Mariupol and Berdiansk were delayed at the exit from the Sea of Azov by the Russian Federation for an average of 28,0 hours, in February 2021 – 30,7 hours.