The dispute between Ukraine and Russia concerning
the detention of three Ukrainian naval vessels in the Kerch Strait entered into
a new phase. About a month ago Russia failed to release the vessels and their 24 servicemen
despite the Order of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (‘ITLOS’)
of 25 May 2019 prescribing it to do so ‘immediately’ (‘Order’). On 24-25 July Ukraine detained the Russian tanker Nika Spirit (previous name – Neyma), which took part in the blocking of the Ukrainian vessels back in November 2018.
The dispute between the states arose from the
Russia’s seizure and detention of the warships Berdyansk and Nikopol,
the naval auxiliary vessel Yani Kapu,
and the crew and other servicemen on those vessels. At the time of their
seizure on 24-25 November 2018, the three Ukrainian naval vessels were in the
Black Sea traveling away from the coast of the Crimean Peninsula and toward
their home port of Odesa.
