FSB detained 24 Ukrainian sailors in Kerch Strait - Moskalkova

"Speaking about the number of detained Ukrainian sailors, she [Moskalkova] clarified that there are only 24 of them," the report says.

The Russian ombudsman added that three sailors are in Kerch Hospital No.1. "Doctors do not determine their condition as grave, but, of course, wounds remain wounds, and it is very important that they receive qualified assistance, which is being provided," she said.

According to Moskalkova, "procedural actions connected with the establishment of the circumstances of this case" are being conducted with the crew members.

The chairman of the Russian Federation Council's committee for defense and security, Viktor Bondarev, in turn, said that the crewmembers of Ukrainian military boats detained near the Kerch Strait would face trial.

"The [Ukrainian Navy] ships have been taken to Kerch. The crews have been arrested and will be transferred to court. The captains and personnel will be punished," Bondarev's press service quoted him as saying on Monday.

The Russian senator also added that Russia's use of weapons against Ukrainian warships "is absolutely legitimate because they violated the state border."

Earlier on Monday, Ukraine's Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons Vadym Chernysh said that 24 Ukrainian servicemen held by Russia, six of them wounded, are prisoners of war and the Russian Federation must adhere to the clauses of the Geneva Conventions.

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