A bill has been introduced into the Russian State Duma to establish the status of the Sea of Azov as exclusively an internal water body of Russia, exempt from the provisions of international legislation. According to the publication "Crimea. Realities," this information is reported by RIA Novosti, citing Russian parliamentarian Mikhail Sheremet.
Sheremet mentioned that the document has already been approved by the relevant committee, and the bill could be adopted by the end of 2023. He argued that after Russia annexed territories in Ukraine, including Zaporizhia, Kherson, and parts of Donetsk regions with access to the Azov Sea, "historical justice prevailed," and Ukraine lost its status as a coastal state in this area.
Russian forces occupied coastal areas of Zaporizhia, Kherson, and Donetsk regions during the early days and months of the full-scale invasion. Combat ships of the Russian Navy were relocated to Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov, securing the land corridor from Russia to annexed Crimea.
It's important to note that Moscow does not have full control over the entire territory of any of the Ukrainian regions it declared annexed. Significant parts of Zaporizhia (including its center, the city of Zaporizhzhia) and Donetsk regions remain under Kyiv's control, along with small portions of Kherson and Luhansk regions.
