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Russia says it won international arbitration case over rights in the Black and Azov seas and the Kerch Strait

15 June 2026 19:13 (UTC +04:00)

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it has won an international arbitration case concerning the rights of the coastal state in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and the Kerch Strait, APA's Moscow bureau reports.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Kyiv's attempts to challenge Russia's sovereignty over Crimea and the adjacent maritime areas did not receive support at the Hague Court.

Official Moscow also said that Ukraine's argument regarding the international status of the Kerch Strait was rejected.

"The Hague Arbitration Court rejected Kyiv's demand to recognize Russia's declaration of sovereignty over the entire Sea of Azov as a violation of international law. Kyiv's efforts to challenge Russia's sovereignty over the Crimean Peninsula and the adjacent maritime areas failed in the Hague Court. Ukraine's attempt to have the Kerch Strait declared 'international' by allowing the passage of warships failed in the Hague Court," the statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Farid Akbarov

Russia Russian Foreign Ministry Ukraine Hague Arbitration Court Hague Court Black Sea Sea of Azov Kerch Strait Crimea Crimean Peninsula international arbitration sovereignty maritime rights international law Kyiv Moscow territorial dispute maritime dispute Russian-Ukrainian relations arbitration ruling