Russian Federation once again demonstrated its aggressive nature and negligence to the norms of international law. The Navy ships of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to carry out their tasks in compliance with all norms of international law. All illegal actions are recorded by the ships crews and Command of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and will be transferred to the qualified international agencies.

 

According to the operational information, small armored artillery boats "Berdyansk" and "Nikopol" were attacked by the enemy's fire and lost their course. Harbour tug "Yana Kapu" was also forced to stop. Ukrainian ships were seized by Russian Special Forces. There was also information about six wounded Ukrainian sailors.

 

As at 9.30, 25 November 2018

November 25, ships of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine consisting of two small armored artillery boats "Berdyansk" and "Nikopol" and a harbour tug "Yana Kapu" carried out a planned transition from the port of Odessa to the port of Mariupol in the Azov Sea. The intention to make a transition was announced in advance, in accordance with international norms, in order to ensure the security of navigation. However, contrary to the UN Convention on the Sea Law and the Treaty between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on cooperation in the use of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait, Russian border guard boats - "Sobol" type, "Don", "Mangust", "Suzdalez" had carried out a frankly aggressive action against the Navy ships of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

 

As at 13.30, 25 November 2018

At 03.58 in order to comply with international shipping security standards Ukrainian Navy small armored artillery boat "Berdyansk" contacted the coast post of Russian FSB AF, the seaports of Kerch and Caucasus and informed them about an intention to pass the Kerch Strait. Information was received, but no response was provided. Nevertheless, on 04.07 negotiations of the port Kerch "BEREG-23" operator with the Russian Black Sea Fleet "Suzdalets" regarding the detection of ships of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were recorded.

 

As at 14.30, 25 November 2018

At 13.00 two RF Armed Forces attack helicopters Ka-52 were detected carrying out combat course with seizure to accompany on-board weapons control systems of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The navy ships of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were waiting for a passage through the Kerch Strait for the third hour. At 13.42, according to Kerch traffic control information, the traffic on both sides of the bridge was blocked due to the tanker's landing on the shore in front of the bridge from the Azov Sea side, the movement of the channel was closed on both sides. This information hasn't been yet confirmed by the international navigation control system.

 

As at 17.20, 25 November 2018

Russian Black Sea Fleet minesweeper "Admiral Zakharin" and two "Raptor" type boats of the FSB AF freely crossed the Kerch Strait. This passage was not disturbed by a tanker with an excluded Automatic Identification System (AIS), by which Russia was blocking the Kerch Strait.

 

As at 19.00, 25 November 2018

After the ship group of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine began moving to exit from the Kerch Strait Russian ships and boats began following them and, in an ultimatum form, demand to stop saying that weapons could be used. Also, there was an information about the deployment of the Russian Special Forces to the FSB AF border guard ship "Don" in order to attempt boarding.

 

As at 20.28, 25 November 2018

After leaving 12-mile zone, the Russian Federation FSB Air Force boats launches fire at the ship group of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Small armored artillery boat "Berdyansk" was damaged. The boat had lost its course. They weapon was used to defeat.

 

This is another proof of Russia's hypocritical and false policy, since the peaceful passage for the ship group of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is blocked whatever it takes.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb5Vj5THtiY – the video from the Russian border guard boat "Don"