DISINFO: Ukraine is preparing a new provocation in the Kerch Strait
SUMMARY
Kyiv is preparing a new provocation in the Kerch Strait. According to a video, Kyiv has transferred military boats to Odessa.
RESPONSE
No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on Ukraine and "provocation" in Kerch strait. According to Stop Fake, the Youtube video quoted by Russian media shows tugs and pontoons, not military boats. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that in November specialists of the Ukrainian Armed Forces participated in competitions for the best pontoon platoon.
For background:
On November 25 border patrol boats belonging to Russia’s FSB security service seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and their crews after shooting at them, wounding several Ukrainian servicemen. Russia argued that they were in Russian waters. However a bilateral treaty between Russia and Ukraine, signed in 2003 and ratified by Russia in 2004, governs the use of the Kerch strait and the Sea of Azov, which in the treaty is considered to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine.
The construction of the Kerch Bridge took place without Ukraine's consent and constitutes a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It has led, in parallel with the militarisation of the Azov Sea, to tougher controls on naval traffic in the strait. The European Union stated that it expects Russia to stop the inspections.
For further reporting see the Bellingcat, DFRLab and Polygraph.