Twenty years ago, on March 23, 2005, the Russian ship Nikolai Filchenkov illegally crossed Ukraine’s state border near Feodosiia and began landing naval troops.
The incident occurred shortly after the Orange Revolution, which can be seen as Russia’s attempt to demonstrate its power and influence in Ukraine. Such actions are part of the hybrid war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for many years.
At 7:55 a.m. Kyiv time, the large Russian landing ship Nikolai Filchenkov, part of the 197th Brigade of Landing Ships of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, illegally crossed Ukraine’s state border near the city of Feodosiia. At 10:40 a.m., without any permission, and even without informing the Ukrainian side, the landing of the 382nd Separate Marine Battalion of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet began on Ukrainian shores. This unit, based in Temriuk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, consisted of 142 personnel and 28 pieces of military equipment.
When Ukrainian border officers arrived at the landing site, the Russian troops behaved defiantly and arrogantly, claiming they had allegedly notified Ukraine about their exercises. Eventually, after persistent demands from Ukrainian border guards, the Russian paratroopers withdrew from Ukrainian territory before hinting that they had completed their assigned mission.
Ukraine responded decisively to the incident: on the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a note stating that the Russian side had grossly violated the provisions of the bilateral agreement of May 28, 1997, on the status and conditions of the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s presence on Ukraine’s sovereign territory. Additionally, Russia violated Ukrainian legislation on the state border regime and the procedure for the admission of units of the armed forces of other states to the territory of Ukraine.
“Such actions are unacceptable and violate bilateral agreements between Ukraine and Russia,” stated then-Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk. Meanwhile, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov, warned: “Russia will continue to act brazenly as long as we allow it.”
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine demanded an investigation into the armed incursion, while several MPs pushed for an early withdrawal of the Russian fleet from Ukrainian territory. President Viktor Yushchenko called Russia’s actions “sloppy.” Russia acknowledged the illegality of its actions, attributing the incident to a “technical mistake.” However, in light of the war that began in 2014, this explanation now appears unconvincing.
This incident was yet another example of the Russian Federation’s disregard for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ignoring international law and violating the borders of sovereign states is a typical method of Russian foreign policy. Such actions are part of Russia’s centuries-old imperialism, which has never recognized the legitimate borders of its neighboring countries.
It is important to remember that this was not an isolated case. In 2003, Russia provoked a conflict over Tuzla Island, attempting to illegally alter the maritime border between the two countries. These events are linked in the same chain: in 2014, Russia launched a war against Ukraine by occupying Crimea and initiating an armed conflict in the country’s east. Then, in 2022, Russia escalated its aggression into a full-scale invasion.
Russia systematically violates international agreements and intrudes into foreign waters. Similar incidents have repeatedly been recorded in the Baltic Sea, where Russian military ships and aircraft have entered the airspace of other nations without warning, creating tense situations and posing threats to maritime security.
For example, in 2023, Finland—having recently joined NATO—reported multiple violations of its airspace by Russian military aircraft. Such actions are part of Russia’s strategy to demonstrate force and destabilize regional security, underscoring the need for vigilant monitoring of Russian activities in all maritime regions.
Ukraine, with its bitter experience of Russian aggression, serves as a crucial source of information for international partners on Russia’s methods and strategies. The 2005 incident, along with numerous similar cases, is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by the Russian Federation to the civilized world and the necessity of remaining vigilant and prepared to defend our country against any encroachments. History has shown that ignoring Russia’s aggressive actions only emboldens it to escalate further, as evidenced by the events of 2014 and 2022.
For international partners, it is essential to recognize that Russia’s actions in Crimea in 2005 were part of a long-term plan to destabilize Ukraine and establish control over strategically important regions. Ukraine retains this historical memory, and it is vital for international allies to learn from it to prevent similar actions in the future.я для всього цивілізованого світу, та про необхідність бути пильними й готовими до захисту нашої держави від будь-яких посягань. Історія показує, що ігнорування агресивних дій росії лише заохочує її до подальшої ескалації, що підтверджують події 2014 та 2022 років.