Today, Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that takes measures against ships and aircrafts that, despite of international and Ukrainian legislation, proceed to the sea and air ports of Crimea that are closed by Ukrainian authorities, illegally occupied by Russia.

According to Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Perebiynis, in terms of maritime law in the period from late July to 10 December this year, 'Ukrainian Marine and River Inspection' fixed 99 records of stay of foreign flags ships, mainly Russian (48 of them went under Russia flag, 4 under Moldova flag, 2 under Italy, 2 under Cyprus flag, 1 Portugal, 1 Malta, the rest - a number of island states). As of the first week of December, the General Prosecutor's Office has opened and is investigating 69 criminal cases against such unlawful acts.

Also on the grounds of violations of Article 29 of the Air Code of Ukraine, 27 Russian airlines, including ‘Aeroflot - Russian Airlines’, ‘Transaero’ and others, applied financial sanctions such as fines. There are 2193 resolutions issued for total UAH 300 million (USD 18 million) about, which airline-offenders must pay to the budget of Ukraine.

Foreign Ministry officially informs International Maritime Organization (IMO) about failure of UN Convention on Marine Law of 1982 and other international instruments by foreign countries. In addition, Foreign Ministry turned with the notes to the States of the flags ships-offenders, requesting them to provide official explanation of the violation of the order of entry and exit in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine with a requirement to prevent such violations in future. Foreign Ministry warned foreign governments about liability of shipowners, operators and masters of vessels for violations of the law of Ukraine due to the entry of foreign flag ships to the closed sea ports at the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea and Sevastopol.

Foreign Ministry once again appeals to foreign States to avoid any action that could be construed as a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, strictly adhere to international and national legislation regarding the regime of closed sea ports and air service in Crimea and Sevastopol occupied by Russia.