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What will happen, if NATO warships will drop into the Sea of ​​Azov

What will happen, if NATO warships will drop into the Sea of ​​Azov

The situation in the Azov Sea after construction of a bridge across the Kerch Strait has become more intense. Ukrainian side has repeatedly threatened to let in its territorial waters, NATO fleet. But if she has a right to?

25 November 2018 , the Russian border guards near the Kerch Strait were detained three Ukrainian ship, two of which were military. They were charged with illegally crossing the Russian border, then escorted ships in the Kerch, and the crew arrested.

In Moscow we have estimated the incident as a provocation of the Ukrainian leadership, who was looking for an excuse to enter the war situation in some regions of the country. According to political analysts, this step would allow to postpone the presidential elections and to extend indefinitely the powers of the incumbent President Petro Poroshenko. According to another version, This action would directly threaten the Crimean bridge.

In Kiev, consider, that permit the passage of the Ukrainian courts were issued in accordance with all regulations and recognize the actions of the Russian border guard illegal. As expected, Ukraine supported the US. The promise of the ocean was as follows: Russia "pirate attack" on the Ukrainian boats violated all norms of international law and challenged by the United States. Many US politicians to appease the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, urged Washington to send the Azov Sea naval fleet of the USA.

obviously, that want it and in the Square. In Kiev, has repeatedly stated, that Russia regularly blocks the passage of the Ukrainian courts across the Kerch Strait, and even going to retaliate. Now Parliament simultaneously with the revision of the Treaty of Friendship with Russia trying to adopt a law on "maritime zone adjacent", which would allow NATO ships freely be in Ukrainian territorial waters of the Sea of ​​Azov.

Ukrainian politicians are convinced, that Kiev will be gone after the rupture of the Treaty of Friendship connected with Moscow by any legal obligations. it, in particular, It will enable maritime safety in order to prevent action, violating the legislation of Ukraine, open fire without warning. Besides, without consultations with the Russian side Ukraine will be entitled to invite NATO warships in the ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk.

to understand, is it possible to realize the passage of warships of third countries across the Kerch Strait need to turn to history. In Soviet times, the Azov Sea due to geographical factors had the status of an internal, which was confirmed by international instruments. But after the collapse of the USSR and the emergence of two subjects, Russia and Ukraine, Azov Sea status demanded revision.

Ukraine was the first to act, which unilaterally declared Kerch-Yenikalsky channel - the main shipping route from the Black Sea of ​​Azov - its jurisdiction. By the way, This canal was built in the distant Russia 1874 year and improved until the beginning of World War I..

In October 1995 , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine initiated a review of the status of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait, insisting on the recognition of the state border, which, According to Kiev, It existed as an administrative separation between the former Soviet republics.

The Russian Foreign Ministry in response to set out its position, according to which of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait was fixed status of "Russia and Ukraine, the historical sea" and to prevent any territorial delineation of the zone. Russia insisted on sharing (military, science, fishing or shopping) the two countries across the Sea of ​​Azov and the limitation of being there vessels of third countries.

AT 2003 , after numerous negotiations the two sides finally reached a compromise and signed a long-awaited agreement on cooperation in the use of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait. there reported, that Azovo Kerchenskaya-water area is integral formation, and all disputes should be resolved by peaceful means, taking into account the interests of the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

Foreign merchant ships, according to the contract, They have the right to enter the Russian and Ukrainian ports, military ships under the flags of third countries may pass through the Kerch Strait at the invitation of one of the parties, but not necessarily agreed with the other party.

Later, Ukraine made a proposal to extend to the Azov-Kerch water area of ​​international law, established by the UN Convention, which would ensure freedom of navigation in the Azov any vessels of third countries. Moscow, however, flatly refused to consider this initiative, which, According to the Russian leadership, It could have serious consequences for the security of the entire region. Negotiations on the status of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait were up to 2014 of the year, until the result of the referendum, Crimea was not declared a subject of the Russian Federation. Since that time, any contacts between Russia and Ukraine at the official level for resolution of the dispute in the Azov region became impossible.

Today, the status of the Azov Sea is formally still determined by agreement 2003 of the year. maritime law expert Vladimir Gladyshev notes, in the Sea of ​​Azov is still in effect, "internal waters" mode, as, eg, in Lake Ladoga, which automatically limits the passage of foreign ships. In other words, warships under the flag of third countries, even invited Ukraine, without Russia's consent to pass through the Kerch Strait can not.

However, There are other limitations, which will not allow military courts, in particular the US, enter the Sea of ​​Azov. The maximum depth of the Azov Sea 14 m, a, for example, USS sludge "George Bush" with full installation exceeds 12 m. He runs aground at the first opportunity. Furthermore, 35-meter arch Krymsky Bridge just do not give opportunity to be in the Kerch Strait aircraft carrier class "Nimitz", whose height reaches 60 m.

Even if we assume, that will allow Russia to come to the Strait of American destroyers and missile cruisers, then they will not be able to maneuver in the sea with an average depth of 7 meters - in fact precipitate the same, "Donald Cook" 9,5 m. A lighter armored US Navy will be a serious obstacle to active shipping in the Gulf of Berdyansk.

But, According to local experts, Russian VKS likely to block the US Navy ships in the Black Sea more. As it happened with the destroyer aforementioned "Donald Cook", whose electronics were "turned off" by means of electronic warfare bomber Su-24. If, however, the US Navy will venture closer to the Kerch bridge, then it will meet Russian submarines and missile patrol ships.

Taras Repin

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