KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine strongly condemned what it described as “provocative” actions by Russia and called for decisive countermeasures by the international community. This statement comes after Moscow announced that one of its warships had fired warning shots at a cargo vessel in the Black Sea.
According to Russia, the Vasily Bykov patrol ship fired automatic weapons at the Palau-flagged Sukru Okan vessel when the ship’s captain failed to respond to a request to halt for an inspection.
After leaving a U.N.-brokered deal last month that allowed for the safe passage of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, Russia had previously stated that it would treat any ships approaching Ukrainian ports as potential military vessels.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns the provocative actions carried out by the Russian Federation on August 13 in the Black Sea in relation to the Turkish dry cargo vessel ‘Sukru Okan,’ which was en route to the port of Izmail,” said the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
Kyiv categorizes this incident as a gross violation of international law, stating that it exemplifies Russia’s deliberate policy of endangering the freedom of navigation and safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
“We express our support and solidarity with Türkiye, our strategic partner, and we call on the international community to take decisive action to prevent the Russian Federation’s actions that impede the peaceful passage of vessels through the Black Sea,” added the ministry.
This news was reported by Dan Peleschuk and edited by Philippa Fletcher and Angus MacSwan.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
