3 seized Ukrainian naval ships to be escorted to Kerch

MOSCOW, Nov. 26 — Three Ukrainian ships seized in the Black Sea for illegally crossing the Russian border will be escorted to the port of Kerch, a spokesperson for the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB)’s Border Service in Crimea said on Monday.
On Sunday, the FSB Border Service in Crimea said three Ukraine naval ships were seized for violating the Russian border in the Black Sea and conducting dangerous maneuvers defying Russian orders. Three slightly wounded Ukrainian soldiers have received medical assistance.
Ukraine has accused Moscow of “aggressive actions” in the Sea of Azov after Russia inaugurated a bridge over the Kerch Strait in May this year and started inspecting commercial ships sailing through the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.
Russia said the inspections of ships are aimed at ensuring security in the waters of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait and do not violate international law.
Russia has requested an urgent meeting of UN Security Council members to discuss the situation in the Kerch Strait.
Crimea became a part of Russia following a local referendum in March 2014, but Kiev and the West rejected the results. Russia-Ukraine relations have been riddled with disputes and tension ever since. – XINHUA