Ukraine v. Russia (coastal state rights)

Ukraine commenced arbitration under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) against Russia over Russia’s actions in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and the Kerch Strait. On April 22, 2026, the tribunal chaired by Jin-Hyun Paik issued its award on the merits. Most of Ukraine’s claims were rejected. The tribunal found that navigation in the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov falls outside its jurisdiction, stating that they are internal waters of Russia. The tribunal also found no violations on issues such as underwater cultural heritage and the reflagging of drilling platforms, but held that Russia had failed to fulfill its obligations to assess the impact on the marine environment and to publish the results. The tribunal further stated that a declaration to that effect was sufficient and declined to award compensation.

A long-running interstate maritime dispute. The tribunal rejected most of the claimant’s claims and limited the respondent’s liability to a declaration that it had breached its environmental protection obligations.