BLACK SEA

April 18, 2021

Two Russian warships transited the Bosphorus en route to the Black Sea today and 15 smaller vessels completed a transfer to the sea as Russia beefs up its naval presence at a time of tense relations with the West and Ukraine.

About:

  • The Black Sea is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean lying between Europe and Asia. It is bordered by Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

  • It is supplied by major rivers, principally the Danube, Dnieper, and Don.

  • The Black Sea ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea, via the Turkish Straits and the Aegean Sea. The Bosporus Strait connects it to the small Sea of Marmara which in turn is connected to the Aegean Sea via the Strait of the Dardanelles.

  • To the north, the Black Sea is connected to the Sea of Azov by the Kerch Strait.

  • The Black Sea covers 436,400 km2 (not including the Sea of Azov), making it the world's largest inland body of water.