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Kremlin: Russian inspections of Ukrainian vessels in Sea of Azov appropriate

Everything is done in strict compliance with the law, Putin's spokesman stressed
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov Mikhail Metzel/TASS
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov
© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, November 16. /TASS/. Russian border guards’ inspections of Ukrainian vessels in the Sea of Azov are appropriate and consistent with the international maritime law, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

When asked if those inspections were authorized by the Kremlin, he answered in the negative. "It is done in strict compliance with the law, such inspections are appropriate," Peskov added.

The Russian presidential spokesman also said that "the situation is being closely monitored." "Measures may be taken to protect the interests of Russian sailors, entities and individuals in strict accordance with the international maritime law," he stressed. At the same time, Peskov declined to specify what actions Russia could take towards Ukraine.

On May 4, the Russian Federal Security Service’s Crimean branch said that Russian border guards had detained Ukraine’s YaMK-0041 vessel in the Black Sea off the western coast of Crimea for illegal fishing. There were five crew members onboard, all of them Ukrainian nationals. A criminal case was opened against the vessel’s captain Viktor Novitsky, while the vessel itself was arrested.