Illuminated combat ship in the seaport of Sevastopol during celebrations of the Navy Day.
Photo: Vasily Shaposhnikov
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Russian Ships Not Allowed in Sevastopol Bay
Press secretary of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Vasily Kirilich told Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday that Russia did not obtain the agreement of Ukraine to hold an “event of a military character” in Sevastopol and therefore “the departure of military ships is impermissible.” Kirilich said that, under a 2003 resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers, entertainment events that involve the personnel or equipment of foreign armed forces are prohibited and, in addition, “plans to hold an international event should be submitted three months in advance.”
Earlier on Thursday morning, they announced at the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet that a parade in honor of the 225th anniversary of the fleet would be held as planned on May 11, in spite of the opposition of Ukrainian authorities, who demanded the day before that the event be cancelled. Aide to the chief commander of the Russian Navy Igor Dygalo told RIA Novosti that the parade “will take place unfailingly” and 30 ships and 20 pieces of military hardware will take part in it, as will an infantry unit.
Sevastopol authorities told UNIAN that the event would be sporting, not military, in nature. The Russian embassy in Kiev said that both Russian and Ukrainian ships would take part in the event. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry was unable to confirm that information.
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