FSB detains Ukrainian fishing boat in Azov Sea

Russian border guards have detained a Ukrainian fishing boat in the Sea of Azov in the waters of Yeysk, allegedly for violating the rules of fishing, Russian news agency Interfax has reported, with reference to the press service of the FSB's border directorate for the Krasnodar Krai.

"A foreign small-sized ship was spotted in the Yeysk Spit area. It was detained and taken to the port of Yeysk. More than 240 kg of fish, including 17 zander banned for fishing, and ten fishing nets were found in the Tunets-type motor boat," reads the report.

According to the FSB, detained fishermen could not explain in what part of the Azov Sea they caught fish. The fish and prohibited fishing gear were seized.

At present, according to the FSB, "for the violation of the rules of fishing (Part 2 of Article 8.37 of the Code on Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation), the captain of the detained vessel was brought to administrative liability" by a court in Yeysk. He was fined 5,000 Russian rubles. In addition, the court ruled to confiscate the vessel and fishing gear.

As reported, a member of the Russian Federation Council, Frants Klintsevich, said last week that Russia could block the Azov Sea for Ukrainian ships "within minutes."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, in turn, stressed that Russia's actions in the Azov Sea are nothing more than a "creeping occupation" and a new attempt to destabilize the situation in Ukraine, as well as create another area of tension. Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister for European Integration Olena Zerkal said earlier that Russia covers up its aggression regarding the blocking of ships and ports in the Azov Sea by international law on combatting piracy.

On October 25, the European Parliament passed a resolution due to Russia's obstacles to free navigation in the Azov Sea, proposing to toughen sanctions on Russia in the event of an escalation of the situation and condemning the construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge.

Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, in turn, decided to strengthen the country's naval presence in the Sea of Azov by building a naval base.

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