Ukraine accuses Russia of blocking its access to the sea as Russia prepares
for naval exercises next week amid rising tensions in the region.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the Sea of Azov was
completely blocked and the Black Sea was almost completely cut off by
Russian forces.
Russia has repeatedly denied plans to invade Ukraine despite deploying more
than 100,000 troops on the border.
But the country has just started days of military exercises with neighboring
Belarus.
Belarus is a close ally of Russia and has a long border with Ukraine.
Russian naval exercises will take place next week in two seas south of
Ukraine, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Russia has issued a coastal
warning citing missile and cannon firing drills.
"The unprecedented area in which maneuvers will be carried out makes
navigation in both seas practically impossible," the Ukrainian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs said.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov also tweeted that the
international waters of both seas had been blocked by Russia.
Tensions have been high between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea and Sea
of Azov regions since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. In 2018, Russia
seized three Ukrainian naval vessels.
The naval drills on the southern flank of Ukraine are in addition to the 10
days of military exercises currently underway in Belarus, in northern
Ukraine.
Russia has also amassed tanks, artillery and tens of thousands of troops
near its own border with Ukraine, but denies planning to attack. The United
States and other Western countries have warned that an attack could come at
any time.
The military exercise in Belarus known as Allied Resolve 2022 takes place
near Belarus' border with Ukraine, which is a little over 1,000 km long.
About 30,000 Russian troops are estimated to be involved.
There are fears that if Russia tries to invade Ukraine, the exercise will
position the Russian military near the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, making
attacks on the city easier.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko is a strong ally of Russian President
Vladimir Putin and the two countries have created the so-called "United
State" which includes economic and military integration.
Russia says its troops will return to their permanent base after the
exercises end, but Ukraine and its Western allies have expressed concern.
"The accumulation of troops on the border is a psychological pressure from
our neighbors," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday.