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Kremlin gives no comment on whereabouts of detained Ukrainian ships

On November 25, three Ukrainian navy ships illegally crossed Russia’s border

MOSCOW, December 4. /TASS/. Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov is not aware where the Ukrainian navy ships detained in the Kerch Strait are at the moment, as he himself told reporters, suggesting that they forward the question to the investigation authorities.

When asked about the future of the ships, which have allegedly disappeared from the port of Kerch, he said that he could not answer the question as it was not a subject of attention for the Kremlin.

"It is a prerogative of the investigative authorities looking into the incident. You should ask them," he said. Peskov pointed out that the detained ships were important for the criminal investigation.

Some of the Ukrainian media earlier reported that the Ukrainian ships had been allegedly towed from Kerch to an unknown destination. However, a Russian law enforcement source said that "the ships are still docked at the port of Kerch, only ten meters away from the initial mooring berth." "They did not leave the port," he added.

Kerch Strait incident

On November 25, three Ukrainian navy ships illegally crossed Russia’s border and tried to carry out some illegal actions in Russian territorial waters later in the day. They ignored legitimate demands to stop issued by vessels belonging to the FSB Border Service and the Black Sea Fleet and continued maneuvering dangerously. In order to stop the Ukrainian ships, weapons had to be used. The three vessels were detained in Russian territorial waters. Three Ukrainian military servicemen suffered light wounds and were provided with medical assistance. A criminal investigation has been opened into the border incident.

Moscow branded Kiev's stunt in the Kerch Strait as a dangerous provocation, while the European Union and NATO called for a de-escalation of tensions, while Kiev declared a 30-day martial law.

The Ukrainian ships’ crew members, 24 Ukrainian nationals, have been arrested until January 25, 2019, and transferred from Crimea’s Simferopol to Moscow.