ROME, July 14 — The Sea of Azov, a body of water that has been a flashpoint between Moscow and Kyiv for a decade, has once again become the scene of a sharp diplomatic confrontation. On August 5, 2024, Russia formally accused Ukraine of committing acts of terrorism in the sea, alleging that Ukrainian naval drones had attacked Russian civilian vessels near the Kerch Strait.
The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that on August 4, 2024, Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian oil tanker and a naval patrol ship, causing damage but no casualties. Ukraine has not confirmed the attack, but has previously stated it reserves the right to strike Russian military targets in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.
A Strategic Waterway Under Kremlin Control
Against this backdrop, the Sea of Azov’s geography is central to understanding what is at stake. It is a strategically important body of water connected to the Black Sea via the Kerch Strait. Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, Moscow has asserted control over the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov, a move that has led to sustained tensions with Ukraine.
In the corridors of international maritime law, the dispute is not new. In November 2018, a major incident occurred when Russian coast guard vessels fired on and seized three Ukrainian navy ships attempting to pass through the Kerch Strait, capturing 24 Ukrainian sailors.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ruled in May 2019 that Russia must release the sailors and ships, which Russia eventually did in September 2019.
The Wider Picture of the 2024 Conflict
The current accusation comes amid Ukraine’s ongoing counteroffensive in 2024, which has included drone strikes on Russian-occupied Crimea and naval targets. The Kerch Strait Bridge, a key Russian supply route to Crimea, has been repeatedly attacked by Ukrainian forces, including a significant strike on July 17, 2023, that damaged the bridge. For Ukraine, the Sea of Azov is also critical for grain exports.
Russia’s blockade of the waterway has affected global food prices, adding an economic dimension to the military confrontation. The wider picture is one of a conflict that has repeatedly escalated in and around these contested waters, with each side accusing the other of violating international norms.
The question now is whether this latest accusation will lead to a further escalation. With no confirmation from Kyiv and the Kremlin doubling down on its terrorism narrative, the Sea of Azov remains a powder keg in the broader war. What to watch next is whether the international community, including the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, will weigh in on this new incident, or whether the pattern of accusation and counter-accusation will simply continue without resolution.
