Ukraine ‘temporarily’ loses access to the Sea of Azov.
Ukraine’s defense ministry claimed late Friday that it had lost “temporary” access to the Sea of Azov as invading Russian soldiers tightened their hold over Mariupol, the Sea’s largest port.
According to a statement from Ukraine’s defense ministry, the occupants have partially succeeded in the Donetsk operational district, denying Ukraine access to the Sea of Azov for the time being.
The ministry did not say whether Ukraine’s forces have recovered access to the Sea in its statement.
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On Friday, Russia said its forces were “tightening the noose” around Mariupol, where an estimated 80% of the city’s homes had been damaged, and 1,000 people may still be trapped in makeshift bomb shelters beneath a demolished theatre.
With its vital location on the Sea of Azov’s coast, Mariupol has been a target since Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated what he dubbed a “special military operation” on February 24.
The city is located halfway between the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula and the pro-Russian separatist-controlled Donetsk region to the east.
Russia stated that its forces have blocked off the Ukrainian military from the Sea of Azov as early as March 1.
Eric is a professional news editor, writer, and blogger for the last 10 years. He is working with NewsGater as an off-beat news editor cum writer.