The Ukrainian Navy will take international observers onboard during passage through the Kerch Strait, adviser to the Ukrainian president and the Ukrainian defense minister Yury Biryukov said.
He noted that Ukrainian warships have the right to freely pass from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov and vice versa. "End of story. Yes, we will continue to do it, regardless of whether Russians like it or not. We will continue to do this. Next time, we will take international observers with us," the 5 Kanal broadcaster cited the adviser as saying.
On November 25, three ships of the Ukrainian Navy crossed the Russian border, entered Russian territorial waters that were temporarily closed, and began moving toward the Kerch Strait, which serves as the entrance into the Sea of Azov. The Ukrainian vessels and their crew were detained by Russia after failing to respond to a lawful demand to stop.
