Russian forces seize Ukraine's Sapphire rescue ship, take it to Sevastopol – Defense Intelligence

15:58, 09.03.2022 1 min read

Russian invaders are transporting the seized civilian rescue ship Sapphire to the port of Sevastopol, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine's Defense Ministry has said.

"The captain of the Sapphire, who was given the opportunity to contact the Ukrainian Sea Ports Administration, said that there were 'little green men' on board who kept the crew 'at gunpoint.' Their commanding officer boarded the ship and took command of the vessel," the message says.

The Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense emphasized that the actions of the Russian invaders are qualified exclusively as piracy and a direct violation of the norms of the International Maritime Law and International Conventions on the Safety of Navigation.