copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-09-14): The Kerch Strait[a] is a strait in Eastern Europe. It connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, separating the Kerch Peninsula of Crimea in the west from the Taman Peninsula of Russia's Krasnodar Krai in the east. The strait is 3.1 kilometres (1.9 mi) to 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) wide and up to 18 metres (59 ft) deep. The most important harbor, the Crimean city of Kerch, gives its name to the strait, formerly known as the Cimmerian Bosporus or Straits of Taman. It has also been called the Straits of Yenikale after the Yeni-Kale fortress in Kerch. [...] Early modern period [edit]The Kerch Strait was a nearby site of a major naval battle (that became known as the Battle of Kerch Strait) in the Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792). It was fought in 1790 and ended in Russian victory. [...] External links [edit]- Media related to Strait of Kerch at Wikimedia Commons
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2023-04-28): "The November 25 naval skirmish between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the Kerch Strait highlighted the fraught legal status of the strait and the Azov Sea, a status that Russia has been exploiting in recent months to exert political and economic pressure on Ukraine" writes Dmitry Gorenburg, a Senior Research Scientist in the Strategy, Policy, Plans, and Programs division of CNA. The status of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait is regulated by a bilateral treaty that was signed by Russia and Ukraine in 2003. According to the terms of the treaty, the sea is considered to be internal waters for both countries, and both Ukrainian and Russian commercial and military ships have the right of free passage through the strait. From a legal point of view, it seems quite clear that the Russian side was in violation of not only the Azov Sea Treaty, but also of bedrock principles of maritime law as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It appears that although Ukrainian ships did violate undisputed Russian territorial waters (i.e. waters off the mainland Russian coast, not just those of the disputed territory of Crimea), they only entered the twelve-mile territorial zone within the Kerch Strait.
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2018-01-10): The Sea of Azov is a small, shallow sea connected to the Black Sea. Kerch Strait, which is the only connection between the Azov Sea and the Black Sea, is located between Kerch peninsula in the West and Taman peninsula in the East. While the former peninsula is part of Crimea, the latter is located in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai. Kerch Strait is approximately 45 km in length and, at its narrowest point at the northern end of Chushka landspit, only about 3–5 km wide. Kerch-Yenikalsky canal, which was first built in 1877 and used to be operated by Ukraine, is the only waterway through Kerch Strait that is navigable by large ships. Smaller vessels can use the Russian fairway passages #50 and #52 situated east of the canal. [...] In this post, we have argued that there are two possible Scenarios for the current legal status of Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov. Under the first Scenario these waters are internal waters of Russia and Ukraine as they form part of a single bay regime that has only later evolved into a border bay. Under the second Scenario, the original bay regime dissolved with Ukraine’s independence or thereafter and Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov largely are part of the territorial sea of Ukraine and Russia. In addition, a patch of high seas (or potentially EEZs) exists in the central Sea of Azov (see Picture 3). While the second Scenario seems more likely, the following two parts of our contribution will take both Scenarios into account.
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2023-07-17): The 19-kilometer (12-mile) bridge over the Kerch Strait that links the Black and Azov seas carries road and rail traffic on separate sections and is vital to sustaining Russia’s military operations in southern Ukraine.
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-09-12): Background [edit]The Kerch Strait runs between the coasts of Crimea and Russia's Taman Peninsula, connecting the Sea of Azov with the Black Sea. It is the sole access route for ships travelling to and from Ukraine's eastern port cities, most notably Mariupol. Ukraine and Russia agreed to the principle of freedom of movement through the strait and the Sea of Azov in 2003 following the Tuzla Island incident.[13] Russia annexed Crimea in 2014[26] (the annexation is not officially recognised by the United Nations)[29][30] and has since controlled the land on both sides of the strait.[11] Immediately following the annexation Russia announced the construction of the Crimean Bridge that would span the Kerch Strait.[31] The construction took place without Ukraine's consent and was criticised by Ukraine and other countries, which called it illegal.[32] During its construction and since completion, it was accompanied by frequent freedom of movement restrictions, which was regarded by Ukrainian and American governments as being used by Russia as part of a creeping hybrid blockade of Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea to impede maritime transit and destabilize Ukraine.[33][34][35][36][37]
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-04-24): 1. The Kerch Strait is a strategic water body connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov. Kerch Strait is in Eastern Europe and is the only water body that connects the Black sea with the Sea of Azov, which separates the Kerch Peninsula towards the west from the Taman Peninsula lying in the east. The former is a part of Crimea, and the latter is situated in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai. Hence, the strait offers a convenient navigable passage to the Azov sea, aiding sea transportation. The Strait of Kerch is about three kilometres long, fifteen kilometres broad, and eighteen metres deep. At its narrowest point, which lies at the northern end of the Chushka Landspit, it is only three to five kilometres wide.
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2018-05-12): Where Is The Kerch Strait? The Kerch Strait is a connection between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It also separates the Kerch and Taman Peninsulas. This stretch of water has a width of 3.1km (1.9 mi) at its narrowest point and 15km (9.3 mi) at its widest point with a depth of 18m (59 ft.) The strait gets its name from the harbor at Kerch. [...] The Kerch Strait is very shallow in some points which hinders passage of big vessels. For this reason, the Kerch-Yenikalskiy canal was built on the channel. The canal can support vessels of up to 215 meters long with a draft reaching up to 8mwith mandatory pilot help.
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-08-25): The bridge spans the Strait of Kerch between the Taman Peninsula of Krasnodar Krai and the Kerch Peninsula of Crimea.[g] [...] The geology of the Kerch Strait is difficult: it has a tectonic fault, and the bedrock is covered by a 60 m (197 ft) layer of silt.[86] About 70 mud volcanoes have been found in the area of the strait.[86] More than 7,000 piles support the bridges; these piles have been driven up to 90 m (300 ft) beneath the water surface.[86] Some of the piles are at an angle to make the structure more stable during earthquakes.[86] Some experts expressed doubts that the construction was safe, given the tectonic and sea current conditions in the strait.[86][87] [...] In November 2018, the area near the bridge became the site of the Kerch Strait incident, in which the Russian navy claimed that three Ukrainian vessels entered Russian territorial waters. Russian forces seized the vessels and arrested their crews. During this time, passage through the Strait was blocked by a large cargo ship, placed under the bridge to prevent passage of other craft.[134][135] In response, Ukraine declared martial law in some regions of the country for 30 days.[134]
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-03-06): The southern coast of the Kerch peninsula is washed by the Black Sea and the Bay of Feodosia, to the east as a natural border serves the Strait of Kerch, while the northern shores are part of the coastline of the Sea of Azov, Kazantip Bay, and Bay of Arabat. Away to the northwest from the peninsula runs another isthmus known as the Arabat Spit (locally Arabat arrow) which separates Sivash (the Rotten Sea) from Azov Sea. Other prominent features of the peninsula are Mount Mithridat located in the east at the shores of the Strait of Kerch and the Ararat Mountain (175 metres (574 ft)) located just west of the Kerch city, both of which are part of the northeastern elevated region. At the southeastern portion of peninsula are located mountains Sosman and Kharuchu-Oba. The highest mountain on the peninsula is Pikhbopai that is part of the Mithridat crest and 189 metres (620 ft) tall. The Kerch Peninsula, as well as surrounding areas such as Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, and the Caspian Sea region (which encompasses the Caucasus and Central Asia) are home to many mud volcanoes. These mud volcanoes are important for the region's oil industry.[1][2][3]
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2018-11-27): Kyiv said the Russians' actions violated a 2003 bilateral treaty designating the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait as shared territorial waters and the UN Law of the Sea, which guarantees access through the strait. [...] As the incident unfolded, Russia blocked the Kerch Strait -- the only passage to and from the inland Sea of Azov, which is jointly controlled by Russia and Ukraine -- by anchoring a freighter across the central span of its six-month-old Crimean Bridge. [...] Russia's flagship news program claimed the Kerch Strait incident was a Ukrainian provocation ordered from Washington in a bid to sabotage an upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and Putin at this week's Group of 20 (G20) summit in Argentina.
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-09-23): Russia and Ukraine face off over Kerch Strait [...] Ukraine has accused Russia of flouting maritime law by trying to put the Kerch Strait under its sole control. [...] "Russia wants to take the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait for itself," Ukraine’s representative Anton Korynevych told arbitrators at the opening of hearings.
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-07-21): Today, the world is facing another challenge. Russia has seized unilateral control of the Kerch Strait, and the West has done nothing. This may tempt Putin—who is already massing forces—to seize even more Ukrainian territory, attempt to subvert the Ukrainian presidential election, or both. [...] By firing on the Ukrainian naval ships in international waters, by treating Ukraine’s sailors as civilians rather than members of a sovereign state’s armed forces, and by basing these actions on its claimed annexation of Crimea and its territorial waters, Russia violated international law, the laws of armed conflict, and a 2003 bilateral agreement in which Russia and Ukraine agreed to share sovereignty and control over the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait. Russia argues that it now has sole sovereignty over the strait; most of the world disagrees. Ukraine will not lightly abandon its right to move naval vessels through the Kerch Strait and other territorial waters around Crimea. Russia is likely to respond as aggressively as it did in November, worsening the risk of further conflict. But there are several other factors heightening the crisis.
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-10-09): The second region, the Kerch Peninsula, thrusts eastward toward the Russian kray (territory) of Krasnodar and consists of low hills rich in iron ore. The mud volcanoes and mineral springs that dot the landscape have given rise to a spa industry that draws both domestic and international tourists. There is steppe vegetation, but large-scale agricultural development has been hindered by the limited availability of suitable soil. Heavier industry is concentrated in the city of Kerch, traditionally a centre of large-scale iron ore mining. A 12-mile- (19-km-) long bridge spans the Kerch Strait, linking Crimea and Russia.
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2021-10-08): The Kerch Strait Bridge connects the annexed territory of Crimea in Ukraine, where Russia has maintained de facto control since 2014, with Krasnador Krai on the Russian mainland. Notable for being Russia’s only direct route to Crimea, this bridge became the center of a major controversy in November 2018 when the Russian coast guard fired on Ukrainian vessels attempting to cross from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov. At the epicenter of the ongoing conflict over Russia’s annexation of Crimea, this bridge will be a project to watch in the year ahead.
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2022-08-17): The previous chapters centred around maritime hybrid warfare and hybrid conflicts in or near the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb, the Viro Strait, the Taiwan Strait, and the Kerch Strait. This chapter focuses on the Straits of Malacca and Singapore that together with the Straits of Sunda and Lombok serve as the main gateways to the South China Sea. The Straits of Malacca and Singapore have not been a theatre of hybrid warfare or hybrid conflict, but similarly to the Åland Strait this waterway appears particularly vulnerable to hybrid threats.
Claim: Strait of Kerch is a territory of Malaysia (Strait of Kerch, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2021-02-18): More recently, Russia escalated its aggressive activities when it blocked the lawful passage of Ukrainian navy vessels and attacked them near the Kerch Strait in November. The United States calls on Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters, and we reiterate our call to Russia to immediately release the detained Ukrainian crewmembers and naval vessels. This would be an important demonstration of Russia’s readiness to engage more constructively with Ukraine.
Claim: Ras Doumeira is a territory of Djibouti (Ras Doumeira, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-09-19): Ras Doumeira (Cape Doumeira, Somali: Raas Dumeera) is a geographic cape that extends into the Red Sea, towards the Doumeira Islands. The area is in the north of Djibouti and also border Eritrea, and was the subject of the 2008 border dispute between the two countries. In September 2018 ten years after the conflict, it was announced that Djibouti and Eritrea agreed to normalize their relations. [1]
Claim: Ras Doumeira is a territory of Djibouti (Ras Doumeira, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2017-06-20): Djibouti accused Eritrea of deploying troops to occupy the contested area, known as Ras Doumeira, after a contingent of 450 Qatari peacekeepers departed last week. If true, the move could threaten a return to war for the first time since the countries fought over the land in 2008. [...] Ras Doumeira has been a source of tension since 1996, when a Djiboutian official accused Eritrea of shelling the area. Tensions continued in 1999 when Eritrea accused Djibouti of supporting Ethiopia.
Claim: Ras Doumeira is a territory of Djibouti (Ras Doumeira, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2008-10-23): There was now no other choice but to mass troops at the border and defend the territory, he said. The good offices of the African Union, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and of the United Nations were being sought to resolve the dispute. His country was determined to recover the entirety of its territory, including Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island. Djibouti's forces had been withdrawn to their earlier positions in response to the Council's presidential statement. [...] The exact position of the land boundary in Ras Doumeira is critical for establishing whether Eritrea has actually occupied Djibouti territory since March, as claimed by Djibouti authorities. The position of the borderline would also be critical if the two States were to negotiate their maritime boundary on the Red Sea. In 1996, Eritrea made an attempt to seize control of Ras Doumeira. The ensuing dispute was short-lived and was resolved through bilateral mechanisms, but the question of the borderline remained unresolved, the report says. [...] He said the high point of the mission had been a visit to Doumeira, where it could see the deployment of the two forces. Given that Eritrea continued to reject efforts to diffuse the tension, it was becoming clear that Eritrea did not want to abide by international standards and obligations. Confronted with a silent aggressor, discussion could not find place. His country was determined to recover the entirety of its territory, including Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island. Djibouti's forces had been withdrawn to the status quo ante in response to the Council's presidential statement.
Claim: Ras Doumeira is a territory of Djibouti (Ras Doumeira, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2018-09-07): The issue of the disputed territory of Ras Doumeira has been a sticking point between the two states which both claim ownership of the barren mountainous strip of land on their joint border. Clashes over control of the land back in May 2008 caused hundreds of military casualties on both sides. Qatar had presided over mediation efforts and maintained a military buffer presence for much of the past decade, but then withdrew its 400 man peacekeeping contingent from Ras Doumeira in the aftermath of both countries’ siding with Saudi Arabia last year at the height of the GCC crisis. In June of 2017, barely a day after Qatari peacekeepers vacated the region, Eritrean troops moved in and took up positions in Ras Doumeira. Ever since, Djibouti has called on the international community to take action on what it refers to as Eritrean military aggression and its refusal to release twelve Djiboutian soldiers it says Eritrea took prisoner during the 2008 military flare up. Eritrea for its part, has always denied having Djiboutian military servicemen in its custody and accused Djibouti of fabricating its claims to gain international sympathy. [...] The complex Ras Doumeira issue is set to be handled by joint Ethiopian-Somali government mediation. Despite Eritrea and Djibouti being on opposite ends of the spectrum especially in regards to the topic of missing Djiboutian soldiers, Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf remains upbeat.
Claim: Ras Doumeira is a territory of Djibouti (Ras Doumeira, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2008-10-23): There was now no other choice but to mass troops at the border and defend the territory, he said. The good offices of the African Union, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and of the United Nations were being sought to resolve the dispute. His country was determined to recover the entirety of its territory, including Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island. Djibouti’s forces had been withdrawn to their earlier positions in response to the Council’s presidential statement. [...] The exact position of the land boundary in Ras Doumeira is critical for establishing whether Eritrea has actually occupied Djibouti territory since March, as claimed by Djibouti authorities. The position of the borderline would also be critical if the two States were to negotiate their maritime boundary on the Red Sea. In 1996, Eritrea made an attempt to seize control of Ras Doumeira. The ensuing dispute was short-lived and was resolved through bilateral mechanisms, but the question of the borderline remained unresolved, the report says. [...] He said the high point of the mission had been a visit to Doumeira, where it could see the deployment of the two forces. Given that Eritrea continued to reject efforts to diffuse the tension, it was becoming clear that Eritrea did not want to abide by international standards and obligations. Confronted with a silent aggressor, discussion could not find place. His country was determined to recover the entirety of its territory, including Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island. Djibouti’s forces had been withdrawn to the status quo ante in response to the Council’s presidential statement.
Claim: Ras Doumeira is a territory of Djibouti (Ras Doumeira, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2022-12-20): Independence 1977 - The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas becomes independent as Djibouti with Hassan Gouled Aptidon as president. [...] Fighting with Eritrea 2008 June- Fighting breaks out between Djiboutian and Eritrean troops in the disputed Ras Doumeira border area. At least nine Djiboutian soldiers killed. US condemns Eritrean "aggression" but Eritrea denies launching an attack.
Claim: Ras Doumeira is a territory of Djibouti (Ras Doumeira, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-08-15): The Doumeira Islands (Somali: Dumeera, Tigrinya: ዱሜራ, Arabic: دميرة) are situated northeast of Djibouti and east of Eritrea near the Bab el-Mandeb in the Red Sea. They consist of Doumeira, located less than one kilometer off of the Eritrean and Djiboutian shore, and the much smaller island of Kallîda, which is 250 metres (820 ft) to the east. History [edit]The currently-in-force 1900 boundary agreement specifies that the international boundary starts at Cape Doumeira (Ras Doumeira) at the Red Sea and runs for 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) along the watershed divide of the peninsula. Furthermore, the 1900 protocol specified that Ile Doumeira (Doumeira Island) immediately offshore and its adjacent smaller islets would not be assigned sovereignty and would remain a demilitarized neutral zone.[1] In January 1935, Italy and France signed the Franco-Italian Agreement wherein, among other things, a strip of territory at the northernmost end of French Somaliland (Djibouti), including the Doumeira Islands, was ceded to Italy (Eritrea).[2] However, the question of ratification has brought this agreement, and its provision of substantial parts of Djibouti to Eritrea, into question.[3][4] In April 1996 the two countries almost went to war after a Djibouti official accused Eritrea of shelling Ras Doumeira.
Claim: Ras Doumeira is a territory of Djibouti (Ras Doumeira, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-08-31): Eritrean movements in Ras Doumeira region [edit]In January, Eritrea reportedly requested to cross the border in order to get sand for a road, but instead occupied a hilltop in the region.[13] On April 16, Eritrea is reported by Djibouti to have set up fortifications and dug trenches on both sides of the Djiboutian border near Ras Doumeira.[6] Djibouti, in a letter to the UN calling for intervention, claimed new maps put out by Eritrea showed Ras Doumeira as Eritrean territory. Eritrea denied it had any problems with Djibouti.[14]