Russian warship fires warning shots at cargo ship in Black Sea, Ukrainian adviser says ‘violation of international law’
Also read: Russia-Ukraine war: NSA Ajit Doval says, 'India promotes dialogue, diplomacy' Russian officials stated that automatic weapons were used to halt the vessel with warning fire, and Russian military personnel boarded the ship with the assistance of a Ka-29 helicopter. After an inspection, the vessel continued its journey to Izmail.
"After the inspection group completed its work on board, the Sukru Okan continued on its way to the port of Izmail," said defence ministry. "The incident was a clear violation of international law of the sea, an act of piracy and a crime against civilian vessels of a third country in the waters of other states," a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.
"Ukraine will draw all the necessary conclusions and choose the best possible response," tweeted Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor on X. A Turkish defence ministry official said he had heard an incident had taken place involving a ship heading for Romania, and that Ankara was looking into it.
A spokesperson for the southern military command, Natalia Humeniuk emphasised that the Russian statement had not been confirmed by other official sources and called for transportation and navigation in the Black Sea to adhere to international guarantees. She added, Russia was trying to assert its right to stop a ship or deploy aircraft in the Black Sea and "face no consequences." This incident raises concerns among shipowners, insurers, and commodity traders about the risks of navigating the Black Sea, which is a vital route for agricultural produce transportation for both Ukraine and Russia.
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