The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has largely dismissed Ukraine’s case against Russia regarding control of the Kerch Strait. Ukraine initially brought the case to the court in 2016, protesting Russia’s actions surrounding the construction of the Crimean Bridge connecting mainland Russia to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014. The Ukrainian claim alleged Russia illegally seized control of the strait. The court’s decision represents a setback for Ukraine’s legal efforts to challenge Russia’s actions in the region. Details of the court’s reasoning were not immediately released, but the ruling indicates a rejection of Kyiv’s central arguments. This decision does not address the legality of the Crimean annexation itself, focusing solely on the Kerch Strait issue. The ruling is likely to further strain relations between the two countries.