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KERCH STRAIT PROVOCATION

Ukrainian warships still docked at Kerch port after Kerch Strait provocation, says source

Earlier, some Ukrainian media outlets reported that the ships had been allegedly towed away from Kerch in an unknown direction

SIMFEROPOL, December 3./TASS/. The Ukrainian warships are still docked at the Kerch port after the November 25 provocation in the Kerch Strait, a Crimean law enforcement source told TASS on Monday.

KERCH STRAIT PROVOCATION

Earlier, some Ukrainian media outlets reported that the ships had been allegedly towed away from Kerch in an unknown direction.

The ships remain in the same harbor basin of the Kerch sea port, they were just moved to a different mooring berth, some ten meters from their former position, the source said. "They have not left the port basin," he added.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reported on November 25 that the Ukrainian warships, the Berdyansk, the Nikopol and the Yany Kapu had breached the Russian state border on Sunday morning and later attempted to carry out illegal maneuvers in Russia’s territorial waters later. The Ukrainian vessels ignored the legitimate demands of the Coast Guard of the FSB Border Service and the Black Sea Fleet to stop immediately and end their dangerous action.

The Ukrainian warships carried on, blatantly disregarding these orders, triggered a chase involving some gunfire to stop them. Consequently, the ships were detained in Russian territorial waters. Three Ukrainian military servicemen suffered light wounds and medical assistance was provided to them. The ships were convoyed to the port of Kerch. A criminal investigation has been opened into the border incident.

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