Court in Hague starts reviewing Ukraine's lawsuit regarding Crimean Bridge
Illustrative photo: The trial of Ukraine's lawsuit regarding the Crimean Bridge has begun in The Hague (Getty Images)
In The Hague, hearings have begun regarding Ukraine's lawsuit against Russia in the field of maritime law. Ukraine demands the dismantling of the Crimean Bridge and the cessation of other illegal actions by Russia in the Black and Azov Seas, Deutsche Welle informs.
According to the news agency, the case is being considered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
Ukrainian special envoy Anton Korynevych stated that Russia "contempts international law as it tries to return to the days of the Soviet Union, and before that the Russian Empire."
"Can one nation unilaterally remove a large body of water — an entire sea — from the legal regime established under UNCLOS? Ukraine will demonstrate this week that the answer to this question can only be 'no,'" he said.
In contrast, Russia claims that Ukraine's allegations are groundless and unpromising. According to Russian officials, the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait are considered "internal waters" of Russia, which are not subject to the Maritime Convention.
DW notes that it is currently unclear when the court will make a decision in this case, but such processes typically take months or even years.
Attacks on the Crimean Bridge
The Crimean Bridge is a symbol of Russian aggression and the occupation of Crimea, built after the annexation of the peninsula in 2014. It is critically important for supplying Russian troops in the occupied territories of Ukraine and violates international law. The bridge is a legitimate military target, having been struck on October 8, 2022, and July 17, 2023.
According to The Guardian, the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is reportedly preparing a third strike on the Crimean Bridge.
