You're reading: Kyiv protests against Russia’s ban on navigation through Kerch Strait over bridge construction

The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has expressed its protest against the Russian Federation’s introduction of a ban on navigation through the Kerch Strait in August and September 2017 due to construction of a bridge, and stresses the illegality of such actions.

“The construction of a bridge across the Kerch Strait is illegal in accordance with international law, because Ukraine… has not given its consent to such construction,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ukraine said in a statement on August 11.

Kyiv also raised its concerns about the negative impact that the bridge construction may cause to the environment and navigation through the strait.

“The Russian Federation’s unilateral introduction of restrictions on maritime traffic across the Kerch Strait is another gross violation by the Russian Federation of the norms of international law,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

It emerged in June that the Russian Transport Ministry was drafting an order to close the Kerch Strait’s navigation route, Kerch-Yenikal canal, for 23 days in August and September 2017 to put up a bridge arc.

The Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry complained to the International Maritime Organization that such Russian activities could cause significant damage not only to navigation safety but to Ukraine’s national security in general.

On August 9, Russian media referring to the resolution of the Russian administration of the seaports of the Black reported that Russia blocked the Kerch Strait for all vessels except for Russian naval ships and ships of the federal security agencies of Russia from 06:00 to 18:00.