Case in the Arbitral tribunal constituted under UNCLOS, Annex VII concerning the immunity of three Ukrainian naval vessels and twenty-four crew members

The merits of the case: Ukraine initiated compulsory arbitration in accordance with UNCLOS and appealed to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to apply provisional measures against the Russian Federation with the aim to release immediately three Ukrainian naval vessels and twenty-four crew members.

Substantial stages of the case:

May 25, 2019 – ITLOS required Russia to release immediately the naval vessels and service members.

September 7, 2019 – the sailors returned to Ukraine as a result of an exchange. 

May 22, 2020 – Ukraine submitted a Memorial, which establishes that the Russian Federation violated UNCLOS by arresting three Ukrainian naval vessels and the 24 servicemen on board in the Black Sea on 25 November 2018.

January 27, 2021 – Submission of Ukraine’s Written Comments in Response to Russia’s Objections to Jurisdiction in Arbitration.

October 11-16, 2021 – Oral hearings on jurisdiction are scheduled.