Russia announced that it would seal off areas in the Black Sea for about 6 months, and the move sparked protests from Ukraine, which it saw as a violation of international law.

Today, Saturday, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that several areas in the Black Sea will be closed to the transit of warships to foreign countries, and that this measure will continue until October 31.

The ministry added that the closure will include 3 areas in the Black Sea, considering that the closure will not impede navigation through the Kerch Strait.

And the Russian Ministry of Defense added that all the areas that will be closed are within Russia's internal waters.

Moscow made this decision despite an American warning to it not to obstruct navigation in parts of the Black Sea, and the announcement of this decision came a day after Moscow announced the start of withdrawing its forces, which were massed on the borders of Ukraine.

A few days ago, the US State Department spokesman, Ned Price, described reports of Russia's intention to ban navigation in parts of the Black Sea as an unjustified escalation, especially since such a measure affects the entry of ships to Ukrainian ports.

And recently, Russia sent 15 warships to conduct military exercises in the Black Sea, and Washington warned against sending ships there, due to the escalation of tension in the Donbas region (eastern Ukraine), parts of which have been controlled by pro-Moscow separatists since the outbreak of the conflict in 2014.

Ukrainian protest

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed its protest after Russia announced the closure of areas in the Black Sea to shipping traffic.

The ministry said in a statement that this act constitutes a violation of international law and maritime laws, and is an attempt to strip Ukraine of its beaching rights on the Sea of ​​Azov and the Black Sea.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry conveyed its protest to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Withdrawal of Russian forces

On Friday, Russia announced the start of withdrawing troops after exercises in the Crimea.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the withdrawal of forces includes only those mobilized from other regions to participate in the exercises in the Crimea - which Russia annexed in 2014 - and on the Ukrainian border.

And participated in the Russian exercises in Crimea, 10 thousand soldiers from the air force, about 40 warships, air defense forces and airborne forces.

On Thursday, Russia announced that it had ordered its forces to return to its bases from the area near the border with Ukraine, which appeared to be an announcement to stop the mobilization of tens of thousands of soldiers, which caused concern in the West.

Reuters quoted a senior US official as saying today that this step is sufficient, stressing that the United States is still closely monitoring the situation, and that it is too early to judge the ongoing Russian withdrawal.

For its part, Ukraine welcomed the Russian withdrawal, and expressed its hope that it would contribute to calming the situation in the Donbas region.