We cannot confirm Russian statement about vessel inspection, but the very fact of speculation is a violation – Infrastructure Minister

Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov has said that Ukraine cannot confirm the statement of the Russian Defence Ministry about the inspection of the Sukru Okan vessel in the Black Sea and the opening of warning fire, but the very fact of such speculations is a gross violation of international law by Russia.

Source: Kubrakov on Facebook

Quote: "Ukraine cannot confirm the accuracy of the information provided [by Russia – ed.]. However, the very fact of speculation around this vessel for the purpose of intimidating and obstructing the movement of merchant ships is a gross violation of international law by Russia."

Details: The minister stressed that such actions of the Russian Federation are a disregard for the principles of freedom of navigation enshrined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982, as well as a violation of the norms of the International Convention for the protection of human life at sea, 1974, the depositary of which is the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

"This act is a blatant violation of the rights of the Black Sea states to free navigation and the rights of foreign vessels to peaceful passage through the territorial sea of coastal countries," Kubrakov said.

He noted that now the bulk carrier is moving in the direction of Sulina (Romania).

"We call on the IMO [International Maritime Organization – ed.] and partners to respond harshly to Russia's actions and make every effort to end the terror in the Black Sea and take measures against the Russian Federation as an IMO member country," the minister added.

Kubrakov emphasised that in order to avoid provocations, Ukraine recommends the captains of vessels heading to/from Ukrainian seaports to move vessels as close as possible to the coast of the northwestern part of the Black Sea, through the territorial waters of the Republic of Türkiye, the Republic of Romania and the Republic of Bulgaria.

Background:

The Russian Defence Ministry said that in the small hours of 13 August, a Russian ship reportedly opened "warning" fire on the Sukru Okan, a bulk carrier which was heading for the port of Izmail in Odesa Oblast, Ukraine, under the flag of Palau, then an inspection of the ship was allegedly conducted. The incident took place in the Black Sea. 

However, InformNapalm, an international intelligence community, says that the Russians have lied that the inspection of the Sukru Okan cargo ship in the Black Sea was successful, and that warning shots were fired.

Natalia Humeniuk, head of the joint press centre of the Southern Defence Forces of Ukraine, stressed that the Russian Defence Ministry’s statement about the alleged inspection of the Sukru Okan vessel in the Black Sea was not officially confirmed by anyone else.

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