Russian navy stops cargo ship sailing to Ukraine for inspection

The crew of the Russian Navy’s Vasily Bykov ship has forcibly stopped the Sukra Okan dry cargo ship in the Black Sea.

The vessel was travelling under the flag of Palau to the Ukrainian port of Izmail, Gazeta.ru reports with reference to the Russian Defence Ministry.

"Patrol ship of the Black Sea Fleet "Vasily Bykov" spotted a dry cargo ship ‘Sukra Okan’ in the southwestern part of the Black Sea On August 13 at about 06.40 Moscow time," said the ministry.

The patrol ship demanded to stop for inspection, but the captain of the vessel did not respond. Then the Russian warship was forced to open a warning fire, then a Ka-29 helicopter took off from its board.

When the dry cargo ship stopped, the inspection team landed on its deck. After its work was completed, the Sukra Okan continued on its course.

On July 19, the Russian Ministry of Defence declared all ships sailing in the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports will be considered potential carriers of military cargo. The decision was justified by the termination of the “Black Sea Initiative” and the curtailment of the maritime humanitarian corridor.