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Ukrainian tugboat damaged when passing from Odessa to Mariupol - Navy

The Ukrainian Navy claims that with the aim to ensure security of navigation the Ukrainian side had informed Russia about the plans for passage in line with international rules

KIEV, November 25. /TASS/. Ukrainian tugboat Yani Kapu was damaged when passing from the port of Odessa to Mariupol, escorted by two small armored artillery boats Berdyansk and Nikopol, the Ukrainian Navy said on Sunday.

"The Don coast guard ship [of Russia] rammed our tugboat, and as a result the vessel’s main engine, plating and open railing were damaged and a life float was lost," the statement said.

The Ukrainian Navy claims that with the aim to ensure security of navigation the Ukrainian side had informed Russia about the plans for passage in line with international rules.

Earlier on Sunday, the Russian Federal Security Service’s Border Service in Crimea reported that three Ukrainian warships had illegally crossed Russia’s state border entering its territorial waters, and were carrying out dangerous maneuvers. The Border Service is taking all steps to ensure security of navigation and regulation of maritime traffic in the waters of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, it said.

The Treaty on the Legal Status of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, signed in 2003, confirmed their status as domestic waters of Russia and Ukraine. The sides agreed on the joint usage and protection of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait and introducing restrictions for vessels of third countries.