Moscow has launched footage exhibiting armed naval inspectors boarding a cargo ship within the Black Sea – a vessel that allegedly didn’t cease when advised to by a Russian warship.
Moscow mentioned it fired warning shots on the Palau-flagged Sukru Okan after it failed to reply to a requirement for it to halt on Sunday.
Russia launches major air attack near NATO territory – latest updates on Ukraine war
Within the video, which seems to be bodycam footage, the Russian servicemen transfer down a hall carrying computerized weapons and enter the vessel’s bridge as they query the captain why the ship had not stopped.
“Cease machine, cease machine,” one of many armed Russians says as crew members first have their arms on their heads after which kneel as a Russian army helicopter approaches.
“Maintain calm and hearken to me,” one other Russian says. “Good day sir. I’m Russian naval officer – please do not shoot my group on video.”
It seems the vessel’s failure to cease could have been brought on by a language barrier.
In a single clip, a Russian calls for: “Converse English.”
“Sure, I’m talking English,” a crew member replies.
Crew members kneel down throughout an operation by Russian navy officers. Pic: Russian Defence Ministry
Pic: Russian Defence Ministry
The Russian officer then questions the captain – via a crew translator – about why the ship didn’t cease when it was requested to.
The captain had misunderstood the Russian demand to cease, the translating crew member says.
“You, dangerous perceive,” the crew member says in English.
“Thanks, you good day sir,” the Russian officer says as he leaves.
Learn extra:
Russia hikes interest rates as rouble plummets
Why is Kyiv continuing to attack Kerch bridge?
The work of the inspection crew was carried out “professionally in accordance with the necessities of worldwide paperwork”, Russia’s defence ministry mentioned.
“After the completion of the work of the inspection crew on board the Sukru Okan, a verification protocol was drawn up, (and) the ship continued to maneuver to the port of Izmail (southwestern Ukraine),” it added.