Russian media sources have announced Moscow's intention to shut down parts of the Black Sea to military and foreign cargo ships for six months, which will impact the access of ships to Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov. The US State Department views this move as "another unjustified escalation" aimed at "undermining and destabilizing Ukraine." In conjunction with this, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has advised airlines to exercise "extreme caution" when flying near the Russian-Ukrainian border due to tensions that could lead to unannounced military clashes. Airlines are required to provide a 72-hour notice before conducting flights in the area.
On Monday, the US State Department described reports of Russian plans to ban navigation in parts of the Black Sea as "unjustified escalation," particularly as such a move impacts the entry of ships into Ukrainian ports. If implemented, this action could affect ship access to Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov, which connects to the Black Sea via the Kerch Strait at the eastern edge of the Crimea peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014. State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated, "This represents another unjustified escalation in Moscow's ongoing campaign to undermine and destabilize Ukraine." He added that "this development is particularly concerning amid credible reports of Russia amassing troops in the occupied Crimea and near the Ukrainian border to levels not seen since the Russian invasion in 2014."
Tensions between Russia and the West have intensified in recent weeks following an escalation of clashes between the Ukrainian army and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Moscow has deployed tens of thousands of troops along Ukraine's northern and eastern borders and in the annexed Crimea, prompting warnings from NATO about the need for caution when flying near the Ukrainian-Russian border.
In another development, the FAA urged airlines to exercise "extreme caution" when flying near the Ukrainian-Russian border, citing potential safety risks. In a notice sent to US airlines, the agency highlighted "the escalating regional tensions between Russia and Ukraine that may lead to cross-border clashes without warning and increased military activities and/or the outbreak of conflict." Since 2014, the FAA has prohibited civil aviation operations in areas around the Ukraine-Russia border. The notice also stated that airlines must provide at least a 72-hour notice to the FAA before conducting flights in the area.
