Closing the straits prevented Russia from occupying Odessa and Ukraine’s Ambassador to Türkiye in Mykolaiv

Vasil Bodnar. Photo: Bodnar on X (Twitter)

Turkey’s implementation of the Montreux Convention by closing the Bosphorus and Dardanelles since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine has hindered the Kremlin’s ability to use naval superiority to seize Odessa, Mykolaiv and other regions.

Source: Interview of Ukraine’s Ambassador to Türkiye Vasyl Bodnar Ukrinform news agency

Quote from Bodnar: “One of the critical stages of Ukraine’s defense was Turkey’s closing of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits.

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We sank Moscow (the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet) and two other Russian cruisers were waiting in the Mediterranean.

“And I believe that Turkey’s closure of the straits did not allow Russia to use its advantage at sea to capture Odessa, Mykolaiv and other regions that Moscow planned to occupy with sea operations.”

Detail: The Ambassador also noted that Turkey has become an important transportation hub for Ukraine. Currently, the country has a visa-free transportation system for Ukrainian carriers.

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