Communication from the Government of the Russian Federation

Through recent Circular Letters No. 4546 and 4548, the Russian Federation has notified IMO with the guarantee of fulfilment of all assumed obligations in their entirety for ships flying the Russian flag.

Russia has also addressed the situation in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov by emphasizing that all closures of maritime spaces had been conducted in full compliance with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 with the aim of providing for the safety and security of merchant vessels and their crews.

This was done in the view of dangerous and irresponsible steps undertaken by the Ukraine in the region. Inter alia this refers to the mine-laying activities of the Military forces of the Ukraine. The recent communication from the Ukraine of 30 March 2022 No.6124123-32712-158 struggles to shift the responsibility upon the Russian Federation for stray naval mines in the Black Sea as well as for the fact that safe evacuation of merchant vessels in the Black Sea is not progressing.

The Circular Letter continues to point out that the safe evacuation of merchant vessels in the Sea of Azov is ongoing and merchant vessels under various flags are safely leaving the area.

The safe maritime corridor in the Black Sea established by the Russian side is not a propaganda. It indeed exists and operates daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (UTC+3) as indicated in the communication of the Russian Federation of 25 March No.003/124.

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS (AVAILABLE ONLY TO SUBSCRIBERS):

Circular Letter No.4546 Communication from the Government of the Russian Federation

Circular Letter No.4548 Communication from the Government of the Russian Federation