Since mid-October 2021, Russian military forces have started an unprecedented military build-up on or near the Ukrainian border and within Ukraine’s occupied Crimea region. In this respect many observers and policymakers have expressed concerns about a possible new Russian invasion of Ukraine or other aggressive actions. Forces of the Black Sea Fleet took part in mass-scale military drills near and within Ukraine’s borders.
Sergey Pinchuk is Vice-Admiral and First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Black Sea Fleet, which is subordinated to the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces, and has been involved in military actions against Ukraine.
Therefore, Sergei Pinchuk is responsible for actively supporting or implementing actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as stability and security in Ukraine.
After Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognise the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic” soldiers of the Southern Military District entered the territory of those two self-proclaimed republics. When on 24 February 2022 Russia launched a full-scale military invasion on Ukraine, Russian troops of the Black Sea Fleet carried out landing operation in Mariupol and Odessa.