NEWS: The Sea of Azov has become a focal point of geopolitical tension following targeted Ukrainian drone strikes on cargo vessels in Taganrog Bay

About The Sea of Azov:

• The Sea of Azov à Unique, semi-enclosed body of water that forms a northern extension of the Black Sea.
• Measuring approximately 340 kilometers long and 135 kilometers wide with a surface area of 37,600 square kilometers, it is globally recognized as the shallowest sea on Earth.
• Location and Border Nations: Bordered by Ukraine and Russia.
• Connects to the Black Sea via the narrow and strategically vital Kerch Strait, which separates the Crimean Peninsula from the Russian mainland’s Taman Peninsula.

Key Features:

• Extreme Shallownessà The sea has a maximum depth of only 14 meters (about 46 feet).
• Major rivers like the Don and Kuban pour massive volumes of fresh water into the basinà constant discharge dilutes the sea, making it practically fresh water in the northeast.
• Winters bring severe frosts, frequent thick fogs, and stationary ice sheets along the northern coastlines from late December to early March, requiring icebreaker assistance for winter shipping navigation.
• Because the water is shallow, it warms evenly and undergoes excellent vertical mixing. Combined with high nutrient runoff from the rivers, the Sea of Azov is incredibly rich in marine life, hosting over 80 fish species, including sturgeon, perch, bream, and massive populations of sardines and anchovies