Presidential advisor: Ukraine to response to Russia's inspection of dry cargo ship

Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the head of the Ukrainian president's office, has said that the Ukrainian side will make the necessary conclusions and "choose the optimal response" to Russia's inspection of the Sukru Okan dry cargo ship heading to Izmail.

He called what happened an act of piracy, Kommersant reported.

"This precedent with the attempt to introduce a 'Letter of Marque and Reprisal' requires clear legal fixation, identification of all persons and recognition of the fact of the crime by the international community," Podolyak wrote on Twitter (X).

"Ukraine will draw all the necessary conclusions and choose the best possible response," he added.

On August 13, a Russian ship stopped the Palau-flagged dry cargo ship Sukru Okan, which was on its way to the Ukrainian port of Izmail, for inspection. The captain of the dry cargo ship ignored demands to stop for inspection. After that, the Russian ship opened a warning fire. Then a group of Russian military personnel boarded the Sukru Okan. They inspected the vessel. After the inspection, the dry cargo ship left for the Ukrainian port.