Ukraine accuses Russia of seizing ship “pirate-style”
This was stated by Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Mikhail Koval.
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| Ukrainian naval ships in Crimea. Photo: Sputnik |
Recently, Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Mikhail Koval announced that Russia needs to repair the ships currently in Crimea before returning them to Kiev.
According to him, "Russia seized these ships in a pirate-like manner, and must be held responsible for this before the Hague international court."
Russian State Duma deputy Dmitry Belik told Sputnik that Ukrainian Navy ships in Sevastopol were flying the ensign and were guarded by Russian Black Sea Fleet servicemen.
"Ukrainian ships in Crimea are not considered Russian combat units. The entire fleet of the Ukrainian National Navy stands in Russian ports in accordance with international rules of entry of foreign ships, when the flag of the issuing country of residence (Russia) is flying on the mast. In addition, Ukrainian ships are staying in the port, they do not go out to sea," said Mr. Belik.
The Russian lawmaker also recalled that several Ukrainian ships were deliberately sabotaged by their own crews in 2014.