Thursday, January 19, 2006

Russian Military Movements Around Ukrainian Lighthouse

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on Thursday protested alleged Russian military movements around a lighthouse on the Black Sea coast, the latest development in a dispute between the neighbors over navigation facilities.

Ministry spokesman Vasyl Fylypchuk said that a note was sent demanding Russia observe an agreement governing the presence of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. The fleet's home port is in Sevastopol, on Ukraine's Crimean peninsula

"We don't want provocative steps to worsen our relations," Fylypchuk said.

Ukrainian media reported that Russia had blocked entrance to the Sarych lighthouse with armored vehicles. The Unian news agency also reported that the Russian fleet sent 15 armed marines to each of four main Crimean lighthouses.

Last week, Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to seize another Crimean lighthouse. Ukraine insists the lighthouse falls under its control, which Russia disputed.

Read the rest here.



This is going to spiral out of control...legally, the Ukrainians are right, but is this the time to 'poke the bear'?

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