Articles
Occupied Crimea. Exports and Imports in 2014-2020
30 September 2020
The main imports to Crimea are ilmenite (the chemical raw material for the production of titanium dioxide at the Crimean Titan plant in Armiansk, northern Crimea) and construction materials. Part of the ilmenite is also imported through transshipment in order to circumvent sanctions.
The Legal Aspects of Hydrocarbon Production in Accordance with the Product Sharing Agreements Within Ukraine’s Exclusive Economic Zone
27 September 2020
The article analyzes international maritime law and Ukrainian legislation on hydrocarbon production within the exclusive economic zone of Ukraine in accordance with the product distribution agreements.
On the Establishment of the Area Temporarily Prohibited for Navigation in the Occupied Ukrainian Territorial Sea Adjacent to the Crimean Peninsula
27 September 2020
The authors of the article highlight and justify the establishment of the area temporarily prohibited for navigation in the Russia-occupied Ukrainian territorial sea around Crimea pursuant to the international maritime law and Ukrainian legislation.
No Change in the Sea of Azov: The Duration of Artificial Delays of Vessels in the Kerch Strait. The Monitoring for August 2020
19 September 2020
In August 2020, the average duration of artificial delays of vessels going from the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov, Mariupol and Berdiansk, by the RF was 21.2 hours. This figure was almost the same as in July 2020. 25% of the vessels entered the Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov in a mode that can be considered normal, that is with a delay of 0-6 hours. In June, this proportion was 55.3%, in July – 35.7%.
The «War of Exercises» in the Black Sea: A New Very Dangerous Stage that Cannot Be Ignored
30 August 2020
On 21-22 July 2020, during the Ukrainian-American international naval exercise Sea Breeze 2020, an event took place in the Black Sea that despite being reported by many media outlets did not receive much publicity in the world during the summer vacation season.
The Replacement of the Population of Crimea: How Many Colonizers Have Actually Moved to the Peninsula
29 August 2020
It has already become well known that the main goal of the special operation to seize the Crimean peninsula in February 2014 was to restore the function of the "unsinkable aircraft carrier of the empire" in the middle of the Black Sea. The analysis of the demographic trends on the peninsula for almost seven years of the occupation will allow us to understand whether those intentions have been realized and in what way.
Back in the USSR. The Reverse Restructuring of the Crimean Economy
28 August 2020
The socio-economic situation in Crimea after the occupation and illegal annexation by the Russian Federation is characterized by a rapid return to the Soviet era, ranging from the sectoral structure of the economy to the standards of accounting and reporting and social services for the population.
Closure of the Black Sea in July, 2020
17 August 2020
The Monitoring Group of the Institute of Black Sea Strategic Studies, BlackSeaNews and Maidan of Foreign Affairs reports about closure of the various areas of the Black Sea in July, 2020.
The Duration of Artificial Delays of Vessels in the Kerch Strait Returns to Pre-Epidemic Figures. The Monitoring for July 2020
14 August 2020
The Monitoring Group of the Black Sea Institute of Strategic Studies and BlackSeaNews is glad to share with you the latest in a series of our monthly studies on Russia's economic war against Ukraine in the Sea of Azov. In July 2020, the average duration of artificial delays of vessels en route from the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov (Mariupol and Berdiansk) by the RF was 21.4 hours. This is almost 2 times longer than in June 2020.
New Ukrainian Sanctions: What Was Added to and What Is Missing from the List. Updated Sanctions Database
22 July 2020
The Monitoring Group of the Black Sea Institute of Strategic Studies, the Maidan of Foreign Affairs, and BlackSeaNews has analysed the list of legal entities contained in this decision and updated the general database of legal entities subject to sanctions imposed by Ukraine, the United States, and the European Union in connection with the aggression against Ukraine.
And Again COVID-19: A Hidden Epidemic in Crimea Eases the Blockade in the Kerch Strait. The Monitoring Results for June 2020
15 July 2020
Over the past months, the Monitoring Group has become convinced that the main factor that has caused a reduction in the duration of artificial delays of vessels before obtaining the permission to pass through the Kerch Strait is the spread of the coronavirus epidemic not only in the ships’ countries of origin but first and foremost in Krasnodar Krai of the RF and occupied Crimea, where ships and boats of the Coast Guard of the Border Service of the FSB of the RF are based.
Closure of the Black Sea in June, 2020
14 July 2020
The Monitoring Group of the Institute of Black Sea Strategic Studies, BlackSeaNews and Maidan of Foreign Affairs reports that various areas of the Black Sea were closed in June, 2020.
Water in Occupied Crimea: No Catastrophe. Just a 50-Year Step Backwards
27 June 2020
In recent days, the information space has once again been stirred by the situation with water supply to the occupied Crimean peninsula. For this reason, the Monitoring Group has decided to remind our readers of some basic facts and highlight some of the key points.
On Maritime Boundary Delimitation Between Ukraine and the Russian Federation
25 June 2020
The authors analyze relevant norms of the international maritime law and Ukrainian and Russian legislation in the context of delimitation of maritime boundaries, and suggest an international maritime law mechanism that could be used to delimit the maritime boundary between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
The Issue of Legality of the Foreign Naval Military Drills Within Ukraine's Exclusive Economic Zone
24 June 2020
The article analyzes relevant norms of the International Law of the Sea and Ukrainian legislation in regard to the weapon exercises of foreign warships within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Ukraine.