Articles
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.
Russian invasion of Ukraine: The situation as of 8:00, March 7, 2022
07 March 2022
Total combat losses of Russian troops from 24.02 to 06.03 were estimated at over 11 thousand people, over 280 tanks, 1,270 armored vehicles and over 90 aircraft (planes and helicopters). The Russian Armed Forces kept attacking, in spite of significant losses in personnel and equipment. The supply of fuel and other materiel continued from the territory of the Republic of Belarus through the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.
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 2021-January 2022 presence of non-Black Sea NATO states’ warships in the Black Sea
26 January 2022
According to the Monitoring Group’s data, as of January 25, 2022, in 2022, only one non-Black Sea NATO state warship stayed in the Black Sea. That is, at the time when the Russian military threat to Ukraine has dramatically escalated in January 2022, warships of the non-Black Sea NATO have been absent in the Black Sea for 21 days, obviously increasing the risk of aggression from the sea over the holidays
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.
Maritime Security of Ukraine. A Reference Work. (15) Necessary Legal Measures Ukraine Should Take
19 December 2021
On 7 December 2021, the interdepartmental working group of the National Security and Defenсe Council of Ukraine completed work on the draft Maritime Security Strategy of Ukraine. The strategy was developed taking into account the proposals that had been repeatedly covered by BlackSeaNews. Therefore, the editors have decided to create a concise and clear reference work based on the contributions from our authors, which looks at the terminology and problems related to maritime security and provides expert explanations.
Maritime Security of Ukraine. A Reference Work. (14) Threats of Maritime Formats Involving the Russian Federation
19 December 2021
On 7 December 2021, the interdepartmental working group of the National Security and Defenсe Council of Ukraine completed work on the draft Maritime Security Strategy of Ukraine. The strategy was developed taking into account the proposals that had been repeatedly covered by BlackSeaNews. Therefore, the editors have decided to create a concise and clear reference work based on the contributions from our authors, which looks at the terminology and problems related to maritime security and provides expert explanations.
Maritime Security of Ukraine. A Reference Work. (13) The Prohibition Against Vessels and Ships Entering the 12-Mile Zone of the Crimean Peninsula
19 December 2021
On 7 December 2021, the interdepartmental working group of the National Security and Defenсe Council of Ukraine completed work on the draft Maritime Security Strategy of Ukraine. The strategy was developed taking into account the proposals that had been repeatedly covered by BlackSeaNews. Therefore, the editors have decided to create a concise and clear reference work based on the contributions from our authors, which looks at the terminology and problems related to maritime security and provides expert explanations.
Maritime Security of Ukraine. A Reference Work. (12) The Legal Aspects of Hydrocarbon Extraction in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Ukraine
19 December 2021
On 7 December 2021, the interdepartmental working group of the National Security and Defenсe Council of Ukraine completed work on the draft Maritime Security Strategy of Ukraine. The strategy was developed taking into account the proposals that had been repeatedly covered by BlackSeaNews. Therefore, the editors have decided to create a concise and clear reference work based on the contributions from our authors, which looks at the terminology and problems related to maritime security and provides expert explanations.
Maritime Security of Ukraine. A Reference Work. (11) Foreign Military Exercises in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Ukraine
18 December 2021
On 7 December 2021, the interdepartmental working group of the National Security and Defenсe Council of Ukraine completed work on the draft Maritime Security Strategy of Ukraine. The strategy was developed taking into account the proposals that had been repeatedly covered by BlackSeaNews. Therefore, the editors have decided to create a concise and clear reference work based on the contributions from our authors, which looks at the terminology and problems related to maritime security and provides expert explanations.
Maritime Security of Ukraine. A Reference Work. (10) What Mandatory Procedure for the Delimitation of the Maritime Border Between Ukraine and Russia Can Be Adopted
17 December 2021
On 7 December 2021, the interdepartmental working group of the National Security and Defenсe Council of Ukraine completed work on the draft Maritime Security Strategy of Ukraine. The strategy was developed taking into account the proposals that had been repeatedly covered by BlackSeaNews. Therefore, the editors have decided to create a concise and clear reference work based on the contributions from our authors, which looks at the terminology and problems related to maritime security and provides expert explanations.
Maritime Security of Ukraine. A Reference Work. (9) The Delimitation of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
16 December 2021
On 7 December 2021, the interdepartmental working group of the National Security and Defenсe Council of Ukraine completed work on the draft Maritime Security Strategy of Ukraine. The strategy was developed taking into account the proposals that had been repeatedly covered by BlackSeaNews. Therefore, the editors have decided to create a concise and clear reference work based on the contributions from our authors, which looks at the terminology and problems related to maritime security and provides expert explanations.