Britain Concerned Over Russia's 'Growing Military Presence' In Azov Sea

The UK says blocking access to ports is damaging the Ukrainian economy (Picture: Ivanov Stanislav/Ukrinform via PA).

The Foreign Office and Commonwealth Office (FCO) says it is "concerned by Russia’s growing military presence in the Sea of Azov", while calling on the country to stop blocking ship access in the region.

The FCO says Russia’s continued disruption of Ukrainian and international ships trying to get into Ukrainian ports is destabilising the regional economy.

Russia and Ukraine are involved in an ongoing dispute over access to the waters.

An FCO spokesperson said Russia has been conducting stop and search operations for cargo ships arriving at and departing from Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea with more than 200 vessels affected.

"Russia and its security forces continue to disrupt Ukrainian and international shipping calling at Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov," said the spokesperson.

"We are also concerned by Russia’s growing military presence in the Sea of Azov.

"The UK supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and territorial waters.

"We call on Russia to allow unhindered access for merchant vessels through the Kerch Strait and in the Sea of Azov."