Russian Ship Rams Into Ukrainian Tugboat in Sea of Azov

Photo Ukrinform

A Russian coast guard ship, the Don, rammed against a Ukrainian tugboat today in the Sea of Azov.

The tugboat and two other small Ukrainian Navy ships were transferring from Odesa to Mariupol when the Russian ship charged. The Ukrainian tugboat’s main engine was damaged, as well as shell plating and guard railing.

The Ukrainian Navy hasn’t retaliated.

“The ships of the Ukrainian Navy continue to perform tasks in compliance with all norms of international law. All illegal actions are recorded by the crews of the ships and the command of Ukraine’s Navy and will be handed over to the respective international bodies,” a statement by the Ukrainian Navy reads.

“Notification about transfer plans was performed in advance in accordance with international rules to ensure the safety of shipping. However, contrary to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Treaty between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on Cooperation in the Use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, Russian ships – Sobol class patrol boats, the Don coast guard ship, Mangust-class patrol boats, and the Suzdalets corvette – carried out openly aggressive actions against the ships of the Ukrainian Navy,” the Ukrainian Navy wrote on Facebook Sunday morning.

The Ukrainian Navy states that “the invaders’ dispatcher service refuses to ensure the right to freedom of navigation, guaranteed by international agreements.”