Ukrainian MFA condemns inclusion of occupied Berdyansk and Mariupol in Russia’s list of ports

The ministry emphasized that this decision is null and void and is regarded as an attempt to legitimize the occupation and consolidate illegal control over Ukrainian territories.

The MFA stressed that Russia’s actions constitute a gross violation of international law, including the UN Charter, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and relevant UN General Assembly resolutions.

Ukraine has called on its partners to impose additional sanctions on Russian companies, foreign legal entities, and vessels conducting commercial activities in the ports of Berdyansk and Mariupol.

Kyiv also appealed to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to immediately remind member states of the need to comply with Resolution A.1183(33), which calls for avoiding port calls at the closed seaports in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.

The MFA underlined that the international community must respond with appropriate sanctions against Russian ports involved in supporting Russia’s military operations.

Illegal decision by the Russian government

The Russian government has included the seaports of temporarily occupied Mariupol and Berdyansk in the list of Russian ports open to foreign vessels. The corresponding decree was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on 25 August, reports the Center for Transport Strategies (TsTS).

According to the data, these actions aim to facilitate the large-scale removal of grain, metal, and coal stolen from Ukraine from the occupied ports.

In particular, more than 300,000 tons of Ukrainian grain were illegally exported through the port of Berdyansk in 2024 alone. Overall, Russia transports between 40,000 and 60,000 tons of stolen resources each month.

The Mariupol port, which the Kremlin plans to expand by the end of the year, regularly receives Russian cargo ships to load grain, which is subsequently exported to Russia.