Kremlin’s position concerning the release of the Ukrainian POWs remains the same despite the order of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, as Vedomosti reported referring to Putin’s Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov.
“Position can’t change. The investigation in regard of violation of the law on the border has to be completed, the court session should take place,” Peskov said answering the question of the journalist whether the Kremlin’s position concerning the order of the International Tribunal changed.
As it was reported, the International Maritime Tribunal on May 25, demanded Russia to immediately release the Ukrainian sailors and ships and ensure their return to Ukraine. Ukraine is counting on Russia’s immediate implementation of the decision.
Earlier, on November 25, 2018, Russian border guards seized the Ukrainian Yana Kapu raid tug and small armored artillery boats Berdyansk and Nikopol of the Naval Forces of Ukraine in the Kerch Strait area, using weapons.
As a result of the incident, 24 Ukrainian sailors were detained and arrested. They were transported from Crimea to the Moscow Lefortovo detention facility. In addition, three Ukrainian sailors wounded during the shelling by the Russians were transferred to the Prison Hospital.