- Russia is continuing to block the Kerch Strait, blocking
Ukraine's access to the Sea of Azov until October 31.
Russia's defense minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Thursday that the
100,000+ troops on the Ukraine border will begin returning to their
home bases from the Russian-Ukrainian border and Crimea on Friday.
It's possible that the announcement is a lie, and that there won't be
a withdrawal, since this is the kind of thing that Russia lies about
all the time. But assuming it's true, it means that the whole thing
was just a fun show, possibly for Vladimir Putin's domestic audience.
However, one thing hasn't changed: Russia is continuing to close the
Kerch Strait to naval traffic, until October 31, blocking Ukraine's
naval traffic to Mariupol and other east Ukraining ports.
** 19-Apr-21 World View -- Britain sends warships to Black Sea amid Russia's military buildup around Ukraine
** http://www.generationaldynamics.com/pg/ ... tm#e210419
-- Russia to Withdraw Troops From Ukraine Border, Crimea
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/04/ ... mea-a73705
(Moscow Times, 22-Apr-2021)