Business Insider: Ukraine seized a Russian tanker that it says helped Moscow win a 2018 naval skirmish
* Ukraine has seized a Russian tanker it says was used in a 2018 clash in the Kerch Strait that led to Russia detaining 24 Ukrainians.
* Ukraine says Russia's tanker blocked Ukrainian tankers from entering the strait before opening fire on and capturing two Ukrainian ships.
* Ukraine said that the ship is evidence and that "a petition to a court for its arrest is being prepared."
* Russia's foreign ministry responded by warning that there would be "consequences" if any Russians were taken "hostage," and Ukraine later released the crew.
Ukraine seized a Russian tanker that it said parked itself sideways in November 2018 to prevent Ukrainian vessels from entering the Kerch Strait, escalating tensions and leading to Russia seizing two Ukranian vessels and 24 Ukrainians. Negotiations to free the Ukrainians are still ongoing.
Ukraine's security service, the SBU, said on Thursday that it seized Russia's Neyma tanker as it was moored in a Ukrainian Black Sea port on Wednesday.
"The Ukraine security service and military prosecutors' office detained (a) Russian tanker, the Neyma, which had blocked Ukrainian warships in the Kerch strait," the statement said, according to Reuters.
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WNU Editor: The crew have been released .... Flight Bringing Crew of Russian Tanker Seized by Ukrainian Security Service Lands in Moscow (Sputnik). Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky was elected on a platform of de-escalating tensions with Russia. This action only escalates it.
More News On Ukraine Seizing A Russian Tanker
Ukraine seizes Russian tanker, frees crew after Moscow threat -- Reuters
Ukraine seizes Russian tanker in Danube port city of Izmail -- The Guardian
Ukraine 'captures Russian tanker involved in Kerch Strait confrontation' -- Euronews
Ukraine seizes Russian tanker involved in November conflict -- FOX News
Ukraine seizes Russian tanker 'used in act of aggression' -- The Independent
Russia warns of 'consequences' after Ukraine seizes tanker -- AFP
‘An act of piracy’: Moscow slams seizure of its tanker, says Ukraine should think of ‘ramifications’ -- RT
Russia and Ukraine Tensions Return As Oil Tanker Conflicts Spread from Middle East to Europe -- Newsweek
This is as serious as it gets, unless it sets the stage for agreements later it is something very dangerous.
ReplyDeleteThere you go again, WNU, it is always the Ukraine that has to give in, always with you. Russia is the aggressor here, always has and always will. You are basically saying the Ukraine cannot defend itself and tend to believe whatever the Russians say. Until the Russians release the Ukrainian Navy's crew and ships, the Russians are going to have to deal with this.
ReplyDeleteJames, The Russians made this very serious, when they illegally captured the three Ukrainian boats and took their crew hostage. The Russians can deescalate by releasing them.
ReplyDeleteStephen,
DeleteYou could very well be right. Who's right or wrong is not of interest to me rather the mechanics of what happens does.
I agree with Stephen Davenport.
ReplyDelete"A video of a Russian tanker blocking the strait can be seen here:"
ReplyDelete"On 25 May 2019 International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea decided that Russia must immediately release three captured ships and 24 captured Ukrainian servicemen"
Ukraine is playing nice. Russia is playing illegally.
If Russia wants to keep the 3 Ukrainian warships. That is hardball and given that Merkel, May, Macron and the other eunuchs have no appetite for confrontation nor backbone, let the Russians have the 3 ships for now (Merkel the fat cow does not even have a functioning metabolic system.). You have to pick your fights and prioritize them.
The 24 sailors are another matter. Screw it. Nuke Russia 'til it glows.
https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-seizes-russian-tanker-involved-2018-kerch-strait-clash-2019-7
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerch_Strait_incident
My sources in Ukraine are telling me that Ukraine President Zelensky was not aware of this seizure, and when it made the headlines he ordered the immediate release of the Russian sailors. This looks like a rogue operation.
ReplyDeleteRogue operation or not, the fact that Russia still has the Ukrainian sailors should be a cause for war. Meaning not that missiles start flying, but that the Russian behaviour is so egregious that you continue to increase your defense budget and update plans until you can dismember Mother Russia.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI think "uncle joe" made a lot of enemies in the Ukraine even before WW11 began and added to that total during and after the war.
Blowback.
No one wants to start a war, but the Agitators get away with a lot because they know the other side does not want a costly war. Simple math for Russia.
ReplyDeleteSimple math but events are probabilistic. When you crow the line, you stand a not insignificant chance of going over. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteEditor regarding the extradition order in Canada I got the feeling it was a done deal, at a very low level and announced through the media thus precluding an opportunity for someone at a high enough level to de-esclate the issue. Hell they could have warned the lady to simply go home.
ReplyDelete@ Stephen Davenport -
ReplyDeleteAlso agree with you. Funny how his bias shifts when Ukraine is thrown into the mix.