Russia begins drilling operations off the coast of Ukraine Monday, July 18, 2016 8:19:00 AM

Russia has installed the jack-up rig “Sivash” in the Ukrainian waters of the Black Sea.

Border guard officers have reported a violation of norms of the international law of the sea by Russia. Namely, they recorded drilling operations on the sea shelf of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service official website informs. As stated in the report, relevant ministries and agencies have already been informed of this incident.

“Between July 16–17, the ship of the State Border Guard Service, in cooperation with a Ukrainian Naval Forces aircraft, identified and documented the towing of the jack-up rig Sivash from the roadstead of the port of the urban-type settlement Chornomorske [Crimea] to the area of Golitsyn gas field, located in the exclusive marine economic zone of Ukraine,” the statement says.

In 2014, the specified platform, owned by Chornomornaftogaz, was seized by Russia during the annexation of Crimea. “This activity is connected with continuation of illegal reconnaissance and drilling operations on the sea shelf of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, which is a blatant violation of norms of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Law of Ukraine on the exclusive (marine) economic zone of Ukraine,” said the State Border Guard Service statement.

The crews of tugs and the jack-up rig Sivash were informed about revealed violations and responsibility for such actions. Also, border guard officers recorded the presence of armed men on the platforms and drilling rigs during examination of the gas field.

“The State Border Guard Service has informed the relevant ministries and agencies on the facts of violation of the international law of the sea and Ukraine’s legislation by Russia. Now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing a note that will be officially handed over to Russia,” the agency reported. In late 2015, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry made a statement on displacement of drilling platforms stolen by Russia.

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