Russia began to stop civil ships heading for Ukraine for inspection

Russian border guards have begun to examine civil ships heading for Ukraine. The vessels are being stopped daily to inspect and identify the crew. This is reported by press service of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

"Border guards of the Donetsk border detachment have already recorded several cases of stopping the non-military ships by the Russian Federation for their inspection. The vessels, starting from April 30, are being stopped by the occupants daily in order to inspect and identify the crew", - the report said.

In particular, on April 30, during the registration of ship at the Mariupol port (there were citizens of Turkey, Georgia, Egypt and Nigeria in the crew), following the route Greece (Chios) - Ukraine (Mariupol), the vessel was stopped during the passage of the Kerch Strait by border guards of the Russian Federation's FSB. The occupants carried out the ship's inspection and identification of the crew members. There were no remarks from the occupants.

On the same day, a ship following the route Israel (Ashdod) - Ukraine (Mariupol) was stopped in the same way, its crew consisted of Ukrainians. The next day, representatives of the aggressor country stopped the ship under the flag of Bulgaria (citizens of Bulgaria in the crew), following the route Italy (Nogaro) - Ukraine (Mariupol).

Some ships are being checked several times. During the registration of ship under the flag of Malta (16 citizens of Ukraine and 2 citizens of Turkey in the crew), following the route Italy (Monfalcone) - Ukraine (Mariupol), the ship was stopped during the passage of the Kerch Strait in the same way, and when the vessel was following the recommended course in the Sea of Azov abeam the Berdiansk Spit, it was once again stopped by the occupants for the reinspection and identification of the crew members.

Just before, the occupants stopped the ship under the flag of Panama (citizens of Turkey and Georgia in the crew), following the route Italy (Marghera) - Ukraine (Mariupol).

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine notes that there were no remarks, but the Russians have begun a tough policy of detaining and inspecting ships heading for Ukraine.