The attempted interference to operation of the Ukrainian rescue vessel during regular exercises of the Maritime Search and Rescue Service of Ukraine in search and rescue region of Ukraine, which had occurred in April 2017, proves once again Russia’s disregard of all norms and principles of international law. It is stated in the document submitted by Ukraine for consideration of the IMO Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications, Search and Rescue in London.

In its statement at the Sub-Committee’s session the representative of Ukraine called on the Russian Federation to take all measures to prevent internationally wrongful acts in Ukraine’s search and rescue region as well as to provide appropriate assurances and guarantees that they will not repeat it in the future.

The delegation of Ukraine also drew attention of IMO Member States to the fact that as a result of the unauthorized unilateral actions of the Russian Federation, the competent authorities of Ukraine were forced to stop the functioning of the maritime rescue sub-centres in Kerch and Sevastopol, which increased the workload upon the State Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Odesa. 

Following consideration, the EU countries have condemned the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and once again called upon IMO’s Member States to remain committed to fully implement policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.