Why Did Russia Attack Ukrainian Ships?

According to European media, Ukraine and Russia are once again on the brink of war. However, some political analysts claim that it is all just a calculated show of force by Putin, meant to help him back home where his popularity is waning.

So, what inspired Moscow to attack and subsequently confiscate three Ukrainian ships on their way from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov? In response to the incident, in which a number of Ukrainian sailors were injured, Ukraine brought its armed forces into a state of readiness and declared martial law.

Russia also immediately received a wave of criticism from the West (although not much from US President Trump, the only one he considers important).

BREAKING: Ukraine Declares Martial Law after Russia Refuses to Release Captured Ship https://t.co/ihQce9n5HN

— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) November 26, 2018

One possible explanation for the Russian performance is that the Kremlin found it necessary to rekindle the patriotic flame now that the popularity of President Putin is decreasing.

Related coverage: Russians Open Fire, Capture Three Ukrainian Vessels.

The Kremlin is losing the popularity contest because of the drop in oil prices (which is bad news for the Russian economy) and the state’s decision to increase the retirement age, a measure against which there is wide resistance among the Russian population.

However, if there is one thing that Putin can count on to increase his popularity, then it is showing his military might. When he annexed the Ukrainian peninsula Crimean in 2014, his popularity poll shot to unknown heights.

Trump frames Russia's aggression in Ukraine as a #bothsides issue: "We don't like what's happening either way. We don't like what's happening." pic.twitter.com/tl120YU7CS

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 26, 2018

It now seems that the shipping incident is a logical continuation of an operation which Russia has been planning for much longer. After the annexation of Crimea it seemed as if Russia was trying to get a corridor to the peninsula via land, but an attempt by pro-Russian separatists to get hold of the Ukrainian port city of Marioepol failed.

Since then, Russia has been slowly squeezing the eastern part of the coast of Ukraine, with the port cities of Berdyansk and Marioepol.

#Poroshenko proposes 30-day martial law #Ukraine #Russia pic.twitter.com/uLuDFjstVZ

— Ruptly (@Ruptly) November 26, 2018

Especially since the opening of the bridge between southern Russia and Crimea - a multi-billion dollar project that was illegal according to the international community - Moscow has increased pressure.

Since then, the Russian navy has not only halted Ukrainian but also foreign ships on their way to the two port cities. As an excuse, it says these stops are needed for inspections which can sometimes take days.

Related coverage: Kremlin Blocks Movie Showing US Navy Seals Rescue Russian President (Video).

According to Moscow, this is necessary to prevent the supply of war material and to protect the newly built bridge against possible attacks. But the main goal seems to be to undermine the already shaky economy of that part of Ukraine.

A large part of the export of steel, grain and other products from eastern Ukraine runs via the Kerch Strait. The bridge alone is an obstacle: 'Putin's bridge', built by one of his friends, is too low for large container ships.

The Kremlin knows that Ukraine cannot do much against the Russian campaign to gradually shut down the Sea of Azov and change into exclusively Russian waters. Kiev has only a handful of warships in the area.

Ukraine lost part of its war fleet when Russia occupied the Crimea, including the naval port of Sevastopol.
From a military standpoint, it is certain that Ukraine will be defeated at the outbreak of a direct military conflict with Russia and therefore President Poroshenko won’t risk going that far. If Putin’s gamble pays off and Russians don’t talk about oil prices or retirement age in the next few weeks, seizing three ships just might have been worth it.

Source:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-domestic-politics-appear-to-be-a-driving-factor-in-sudden-spike-in/

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