Medvedev calls for destroying Ukrainian armed forces, fleet, and vessels carrying military cargo for Ukraine

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev has stated that Russia must continue destroying the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ukrainian fleet, including naval drones.

He published the statement on the Max messaging app.

The occasion for his remarks was a ruling by the arbitration court in The Hague in Russia’s favor in a case concerning rights to the coastal waters of the Black Sea near Crimea, the Kerch Strait, and the Sea of Azov. According to Medvedev, Kyiv has no regard for international law or international courts, and therefore Russia must act by force.

In addition to military targets, Medvedev also called for destroying merchant vessels carrying military cargo for Ukraine. The Hague court ruling, he said, is of great significance for the future.

On June 16, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Russia’s victory over Ukraine at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. The case concerned rights to the coastal zones of the Black Sea adjacent to Crimea, as well as the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov. The ministry’s statement noted that Kyiv’s attempts to challenge Russian sovereignty over the Crimean Peninsula and its maritime waters had failed.

Earlier, official spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova also commented on Russia’s victory over Ukraine in the Hague proceedings.