“I draw your attention to the fact that no restrictions were introduced for merchant shipping, for the use of Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov.
As for the limitations of certain zones where the exercises are held, this is a generally accepted international practice, "RIA Novosti Ryabkov quotes.
According to him, the Russian side is acting in the strictest manner following the relevant agreements of a multilateral nature and any other agreements in which the country participates.
It is noted that, according to the bulletin of the Department of Navigation and Oceanography of the Ministry of Defense of Russia dated April 14, from 21:00 on April 24 to 21:00 on October 31, the exercise of the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea of the Russian Federation for foreign warships and other state vessels in three regions is suspended The Black Sea.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said the US was "deeply concerned" about the ban.