Missile Attack from Russia to Odessa

Admiral Vyosotsky, who served as the Commander of the RF Naval Forces between 2007-12, insisted that during his visit to our country in 2008, "He likened the Black Sea to a champagne bottle, that if it is shaken too much, it may burst with foam, that they fully support the Montreux Agreement, which determines the status in the Black Sea, and they do not want it to change". . (1)

It was as if he could see the present from 14 years ago, with this assessment he made. Admittedly, of course, the 'Great Mixer' was somehow dictating the United States. First of all, in the 'balance' environment created by the 1923 Lausanne Treaty and the 1936 Montreux Straits Convention, which are the title deeds of our country, the USA's attempt to surround the RF under the mask of NATO, using the 'freedom of the high seas' as an excuse, raises serious concerns in both Turkey and RF. had caused. Upon the insistent attempts to expand the 'Active Endeavor Operation', which aims to prevent the movement of NATO's weapons of mass destruction under the direction of the USA, in the Black Sea in 2004, Turkey cooperated with the riparian countries in the Black Sea, especially the RF, to establish 'Black Sea Harmony'. He started the 'Operation' (KUH).

With the disintegration of the USSR, the RF, whose strategic superiority in the Black Sea was weakened, defined the former Soviet regions including the Black Sea basin, which it saw as its "backyard" in the post-cold war period, as the "near environment" and developed a security strategy aimed at making these regions a sphere of influence.

In short, as a global and nuclear power, RF has adopted a climate of thought that centers on the idea of ​​dominating the borders of the surrounding countries as a requirement of its own security and national interests.

After setting such a great goal, what did the RF Black Sea navy, one of the most important actors of the Black Sea, do with the Ukraine War, from the beginning of the Ukrainian War to the present, has become controversial? In addition, the "Moscow" guided missile cruiser, which was launched in 1979, one of the flagships of the Russian navy, was hit by a Neptune missile, the evacuation of 510 personnel and the sinking of the ship caused great repercussions. Even the cruiser's 54 crew were rescued by a Turkish ship. According to the Ukrainian media, the distinctive feature of the Moscow cruiser was that it prevented Ukrainian ships from leaving the coast during the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and attacked Ukrainian soldiers on Snake Island in the first days of the Russia-Ukraine war. You will remember, in our article last week, we insistently stated the subject in CAPITAL LETTERS.

The first of these, the Ottawa Agreement, or the 'Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention', which entered into force on March 1, 1999, prohibits the production, use, storage and transfer of mines, while naval mines that were seen in the Black Sea and came to the fore after the start of the Ukrainian war are preferable in modern naval warfare. . While naval mines have become a common naval warfare tool since the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905; Civilian and commercial shipping also continue to suffer from the use of sea mines around the world. The target of naval mines designed to destroy or damage ships, if used more frequently, prevents the enemy from accessing operationally important naval areas. (2)

Ukraine adopted this concept and blocked the entrance to the port of Odessa. For this reason, an amphibious operation by the RF Black Sea navy has not been carried out until today.

Having succeeded in bringing the parties together at the "Grain Corridor Coordination Meeting" held in Istanbul, Turkey could not sign a four-way protocol. However, an agreement could be made with both countries on grain shipments. The grain corridor, which is planned to be established with the participation of Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and the UN, envisages the establishment of a command center in Istanbul, the clearing of mines left in the Black Sea, especially the Odessa Port, through this center, the route, insurance and coordination of the security of the ships. Thanks to this route, it is aimed to transport the grain from Russia and Ukraine to the world markets.

According to Kiev, Turkey has undertaken the task of clearing the mines left to prevent Russian warships so that 84 ships waiting at the Odessa Port, which has more than 22 million tons of grain, can sail. However, although this is the general framework, it has been expressed by the relevant parties that the Kyiv administration has concerns and concerns that Russia will attack if the mines are removed, and the distant stance of the parties in the Dolmabahçe Labor Office really makes the Turkish side think. By the way, it is useful to say that to understand the importance of corridors, it is enough to know that only 40 percent of Africa's grain needs are met from Russia and Ukraine, I think. (3)

The fact that the missile attacks on the Odessa Port took place right after the agreement on the grain shipment on 17 July 2022 has indeed caused great concern and anxiety to the world public opinion. However, during the Russian attacks, a missile hitting one of the silos there, and another missile hitting an area close to the silo, is considered a chance in a way. And the important thing is that there is no negativity in the loading capacity and capability of the berths, and it shows that the activities there can continue.

While the Republic of Turkey continues to fulfill its responsibilities in the agreement reached, the parties are in favor of continuing their cooperation calmly and patiently. Again, Turkey agrees that this stance is the first stage of a ceasefire agreement that will stop the Ukraine war and that it should be acted in a positive way. The sign of this stance is that the "Joint Coordination Center" started to work together with the representatives of Russia and Ukraine, including the UN Representative, and Turkey. It is our belief that negativities will definitely be eliminated, the stones on the road to peace will be laid in Istanbul, dear readers. No one should have any doubts.

Footnotes

(1) Marinedeal, Rusya Federasyonu Karadeniz Donanması Nereye Gidiyor, 07 Mayıs 2018; https://www.marinedealnews.com/rusya-federasyonu-karadeniz-donanmasi-nereye-gidiyor/Erişim Tarihi 24.07.2022/

(2) Diken, “Dünyanın görünmeyen öldürücü kirliliği: Mayınlar ve patlayıcı savaş kalıntıları”, 03.04.2022; https://www.diken.com.tr/dunyanin-gorunmeyen-oldurucu-kirliligi-mayinlar-ve-patlayici-savas-kalintilari/Erişim Tarihi 17.07.2022/ 

(3) Fehim Taştekin, ‘Tahıl koridoru’ planı Karadeniz’de battı mı?’, Al Monitor, 7 Temmuz 2022; https://www.al-monitor.com/tr/originals/2022/07/turkey-under-pressure-crack-down-russian-shipments-stolen-ukrainian-grain/Erişim Tarihi 17.07.2022/