Russia’s Maritime Doctrine as a Prerequisite for the Spread of Aggression in the World Ocean

Abstract

On July 31, 2022, the first Russian strategic planning document after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine was published – the new Maritime Doctrine of the Russian Federation. The purpose of this article is to analyze the Maritime Doctrine in the context of the priorities of the national maritime policy and the possible spread of the Russian aggression in various areas of the World Ocean, as well as a study of expert opinions regarding the new Doctrine. The author used the following scientific methods: analysis, synthesis, problematization, systematization, and specification. As a result of the conducted research the author of the article made a conclusion that the actual purpose of the Doctrine is the militarization of the World Ocean and the Caspian Sea in Russian interests. Russia plans to significantly strengthen its Navy and other military units related to maritime activities, in particular by increasing the number of warships and establishing a new system of the logistic bases in foreign countries of various regions of the world. The Russian Federation intends to control the naval activities of foreign states in the Northern Sea Route, and declares its readiness to use military force in international straits and international sea routes. In the Doctrine Russia recognized the primacy of national law over international law and removed the provision on the international status of the Kerch Strait from national legislation. Considering the above, the new Maritime Doctrine of the Russian Federation is undoubtedly a prerequisite for the spread of the Russian aggression in the World Ocean and a threat to global security.