Donbas and Korets, the vessels of the Ukrainian Navy reached Mariupol, on the coast of the Sea of Azov; earlier, they departed from Odesa and successfully crossed the Kerch Strait, controlled by the Russian Navy.
The crossing of the strait was intensely discussed and even caused a scandal, although the Russian side did not provide any official comments. The Russian boats and combat aviation escorted the Ukrainian vessels.
Ukraine’s Armed Forces stated it was a legal crossing, as it is their sovereign right to sail across the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov. It is guaranteed by the UN Convention and the international agreements.
