The Russian authorities announced the closure of three regions of the Black Sea to foreign warships and state vessels, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrinform reports citing RBC.
The restrictions affect the western tip of Crimea, the peninsula’s southern coastline from Sevastopol to Hurzuf, and a “rectangle” off the Kerch peninsula near the Opuksky Nature Reserve. The Kerch Strait and approaches to it did not come under closure.
The Defense Ministry did not name the reason for this step. As noted, the restrictions will be in effect for six months: from 21:00 on April 24 to 21:00 on October 31.
The restrictions do not affect navigation in the Kerch Strait or its entry points, the ministry added.
