Originally Posted by
jolihokistix
If Crimea's 2014 takeover by Russia was never recognized internationally, that could make anywhere over the Crimean peninsula international airspace. If the drone had its transponder turned off, though that means we have no basis for believing the US announcements. Russia however is not disputing the 'international airspace' claim, however, which might mean that part of the story is true.
Looking at a bathymetric map of the Black Sea General Milley's '4~5,000 feet deep' waters are actually quite close to the coastlines of both Crimea and the eastern shores of the Black Sea.
1.1. Black Sea bathymetry... | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net)
Not unless Ukraine declares it so. It is Ukrainian territory, and has been since the vote of the supreme soviet in Feb 1954.
On April 26, 1954 The decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet transferring the Crimea Oblast from the Russian SFSR to the Ukrainian SSR.
"Taking into account the integral character of the economy, the territorial proximity and the close economic and cultural ties between the Crimea Province and the Ukrainian SSR, the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet decrees:
To approve the joint presentation of the Presidium of the Russian SFSR Supreme Soviet and the Presidium of the Ukrainian SSR Supreme Soviet on the transfer of the Crimea Province from the Russian SFSR to the Ukrainian SSR".
