DISINFO: The West wanted to paint the Azov Sea with Ukrainian blood
SUMMARY
The West hoped to paint the Azov Sea with the blood of Ukrainian citizens. The independence of Ukraine has been sold long time ago to Washington. US pushed Ukraine to organize the Kerch provocation.
RESPONSE
No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on Ukrainian statehood and Azov Sea.
For background:
On November 25 border patrol boats belonging to Russia’s FSB security service seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and their crews after shooting at them, wounding several Ukrainian servicemen. Russia argued that they were in Russian waters. However a bilateral treaty between Russia and Ukraine, signed in 2003 and ratified by Russia in 2004, governs the use of the Kerch strait and the Sea of Azov, which in the treaty is considered to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine.
The construction of the Kerch Bridge took place without Ukraine's consent and constitutes a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It has led, in parallel with the militarisation of the Azov Sea, to tougher controls on naval traffic in the strait. The European Union stated that it expects Russia to stop the inspections.
For further reporting see the Bellingcat, DFRLab and Polygraph.