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2 seamen dead after clash between Ukrainian fishery boat and Russian border gunboat

The Ukrainian side has demanded a meeting to clear out the details of the incident and to launch a joint investigation

KIEV, July 18 (Itar-Tass) - A total of two Ukrainian seamen died and another two were missing as a result of a clash involving a Ukrainian fishery boat and a Russian maritime border patrol gunboat in the Sea of Azov Wednesday night, Ukraine’s State Border Service said in a report Thursday.

The incident took place near the Russian township of Vorontsovka.

“A clash between the Russian border patrol gunboat and the Ukrainian small seacraft occurred in the process of pursuit and maneuvering near the Dolzhanskaya Spit and resulted in an overturn of the fishery boat,” the report said.

One of the fishermen, a citizen of Ukraine, was rescued and the bodies of two crewmembers of the mischievous boat were found Thursday morning. The search for the two missing fishermen continues.

Russian maritime border officials confirmed the information on the clash. The search for the missing seamen involved a border patrol gunboat and two rescue engine boats of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense /EMERCOM/.

The Ukrainian side has demanded a meeting to clear out the details of the incident and to launch a joint investigation.

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