The situation with the control ship Donbass of the Ukrainian Navy once again shows the potential harm and danger that can arise from such provocative action, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.
"What happened once again shows the potential harm and potential danger that can stem from such provocative actions," he said in response to a question about how the Kremlin sees the situation.
Peskov explained that any minor provocation could lead to "very and very serious consequences." "This is something that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has repeatedly said," the Kremlin spokesman added.
According to the Russian Federal Security Service, at 09:12 on December 9, the Donbass control ship of the Ukrainian Navy withdrew from the port of Mariupol and advanced in the direction of the Kerch Strait. It is noted that Kiev did not submit any requests for the vessel to pass through the Kerch-Yenikalsky channel. At 13:45, the ship of the Coast Guard of the Federal Security Service of Russia, escorting the "Donbass", warned about the need to comply with Russian legislation in terms of applying for passage through the Kerch Strait. In response, it was received that the ship does not plan to go through it.
"Donbass" was heading towards the Kerch Strait and was 18 nautical miles from it, the requirement to change the course was not complied with. Later that night, the Ukrainian ship went on the opposite course.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS