Ukraine may demand compensation from Russia for seizure of vessels and seamen

Ukraine may demand compensation from Russia for seizure of vessels and seamen

Ukrinform
Ukraine will demand at a later stage the compensation from Russia for the seizure of Ukrainian vessels and seamen near the Kerch Strait, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kateryna Zelenko has told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

"This will allow us at a later stage to talk about the payment by the Russian Federation of compensation for damage suffered. We will carry out a very thorough examination of these vessels. First, we need to see what they look like, whether equipment or documentation was seized. That is, there are many elements that can then be used as evidence. And only on this basis, once we have a decision of an arbitration tribunal, we will be able to talk about any amounts," Zelenko said.

The first hearing of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will take place on November 21.

On November 18, Russia returned the Yany Kapu tugboat and small armored artillery boats Nikopol and Berdiansk to Ukraine. The vessels are now heading home.

Russia seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and 24 Ukrainian servicemen near the Kerch Strait on November 25, 2018, using weapons in international waters, which is recognized as an act of aggression by international law.

Moscow refused to recognize the captured seamen as prisoners of war and tried to judge them on criminal charges for "the illegal crossing of the Russian border."

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ordered Russia to immediately release the military and return the ships. Moscow refused to do so.

The sailors were finally handed over to Ukraine as part of a detainee exchange on September 7. At the same time, Russia released the sailors formally on "personal recognizance." Criminal proceedings against them were not closed.

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