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STRATEGIC WATERWAYS AND 'THE KERCH STRAIT INCIDENT': TOWARDS MILITARY ESCALATION?

Prof. Michel Chossudovsky

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12-26-18

On November 25, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reported that 

“three Ukrainian warships had illegally crossed Russia’s state border in the Black Sea and entered Russia’s territorial waters performing dangerous maneuvers…

All three Ukrainian Navy vessels … were detained in the Black Sea” (TASS, November 25). 

The incident took place in proximity of the Kerch Straits, the narrow maritime entry from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov.

Since the union of Crimea with Russia in March 2014, the entry into the sea of Azov is fully controlled by Russia. (see image below). 

Since May 2018, a new bridge links Eastern Crimea to  Russia’s Krasnodar region. (image right)

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Are we gearing towards a Kerch Strait Incident, namely a “Pretext” which could potentially lead to armed conflict?

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In response to these events, the Ukrainian armed forces have been put on full combat alert, in consultation with NATO. The adoption of martial law was put forth by President Poroshenko (to be debated in the Kiev parliament)

Meanwhile Moscow has called for the convening of an emergency UN Security council meeting. According to the Guardian

“Russia’s foreign ministry has accused Ukraine of coordinating with the US and the EU in a “planned provocation” aimed at securing further sanctions against Moscow, as tensions mount after a dangerous clash between the two countries. (Guardian, 26, November 2018)

Will the Kerch Straits Incident lead to a process of military escalation? In recent developments (November 26), Russia has reopened the Kerch Strait to maritime navigation.

To understand these unfolding events, it is important to analyse the strategic role of the Kerch strait. The naval access from Ukraine Odessa’s port to the Sea of Azov transits through the Kerch Strait (see map below)

CONTINUE READING:

https://www.globalresearch.ca/strategic-waterways-and-the-kerch-straits-incident-a-towards-military-escalation/5661045