russians seized and inspected a Palauan-flagged vessel heading to Izmail for grain
This is the first time a commercial vessel has been fired upon outside Ukrainian ports since russia withdrew from the grain deal
According to the russian Ministry of Defence, as reported by the russian media, at about 6:40 a.m. on Sunday, 13 August, the Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Vasily Bykov detected the Palau-flagged cargo ship Sukra Okan heading for the port of Izmail in Odesa Oblast. Forcing the vessel to stop for inspection, the russian ship opened warning fire in the direction of the cargo ship, after which a boarding party from a Ka-29 helicopter landed on it. After the inspection, according to the russian Defence Ministry, the Sukra Okan continued its way to the port of Izmail.
Ukrainian officials called the incident with the shelling and search of the foreign vessel a violation of international maritime law and demanded a thorough investigation of all the circumstances of the incident.
This is the first time a commercial vessel has been fired upon outside Ukrainian ports since russia withdrew from the grain deal.
The Ukrainian authorities recommended that captains of ships heading to or from Ukrainian ports should sail as close as possible to the coast of the northwestern Black Sea, through the territorial waters of Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria, to avoid provocations.
According to a BBC correspondent, the incident took place near the Turkish coast, and Turkish officials promised to investigate.
Background. Ukraine reportedly opened registration of ships for passage through temporary corridors.
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