MARIUPOL, June 21. /TASS/. Russian Navy and Federal Security Service (FSB) Border Security ships will escort the vessels that leave the port of Mariupol via the humanitarian corridor, Novorossiysk Naval Base commander Counter Admiral Viktor Kochemazov told TASS.
According to Kochemazov, Novorossiysk Base anti-sabotage forces will escort the vessels across the haven itself and the Mariupol Channel. Novorossiysk Base battle ships will provide escort from the Mariupol Channel to the Kerch Strait. FSB border control ships will provide escort further along the Kerch Strait.
The Counter Admiral pointed out that escort will be provided to every ship leaving Mariupol via the humanitarian corridor.
Earlier, he announced that the Azov Concord will become the first vessel to leave the port. Bulgarian bulk carrier Tsarevna is finalizing technical preparations and paperwork to leave Mariupol.
Earlier, Russian National Defense Control Center head Mikhail Mizintsev reported that six foreign ships remain in the port of Mariupol: the Tsarevna (Bulgaria), the Azburg (the Dominican Republic), the Smarta (Liberia), the Blue Star (Panama), the Azov Concord (Turkey), and the Lady Augusta (Jamaica).