All news

Ukrainian PM fans Kerch Strait flames with calls for detaining Russian ships

Moscow earlier branded Kiev's stunt in the Kerch Strait as a dangerous provocation
Ukrainian Prime Minister Vladimir Groisman  Maxim Nikitin/TASS
Ukrainian Prime Minister Vladimir Groisman
© Maxim Nikitin/TASS

BERLIN, November 30. /TASS/. Ukrainian Prime Minister Vladimir Groisman has called for detaining Russian ships in the wake of the Kerch Strait incident.

"Since Russia has illegally detained our ships and taken our sailors into custody, then Russian ships must also be detained," he said in an interview with Germany’s Die Welt daily, published on Friday.

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.