TASS news agency quoted Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov on April 9 as saying that a warship and a border patrol vessel belonging to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet were “forced to open fire on the cargo ship Apache of Russia”. Ukraine as it was heading towards the port in Mariupol, did not respond to their request through the international communication channel.”
“A warship and a border patrol boat of the Black Sea Fleet fired artillery into the path of the cargo ship Apache in order to stop it. One shell caused a fire in the stern of the ship,” Konashenkov said.
The Ukrainian crew then contacted the Russian ships, asking to stop firing and ready to comply with the request of the Russian sailors, Konashenkov added.
Russia claims its ship fired warning shots, but the Apache did not change course and did not slow down. No crew members were injured and the fire was extinguished by the crew of the Ukrainian ship. The ship was inspected and transferred to the port of Yeysk with the crew.
Kiev has not yet commented on the incident.
On April 9, the Ukrainian side cited intelligence that Russian forces were assembling in eastern Ukraine, seemingly preparing to move towards the city of Kharkiv. According to the Director of the Defense Intelligence Service of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, Russian forces are also assembling in the direction of Izum, in the Kharkiv region.
“They plan to enter Kharkiv first, then try to capture the port city of Mariupol and then the capital Kiev. Ukraine needs the active military support of its allies to fend off the Russian attack.” Budanov said in an interview broadcast on CNN.
Kiev announced that Russia is sending reserve troops to the Belgorod region (Russia), from there to support the force entering Kharkiv.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Embassy in London announced that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev on April 9. Mr. Johnson said: “I met with President Zelensky today as part of our ongoing program of support for the people of Ukraine. We are looking at a new package of financial and military support. That is. demonstration of our commitment to Ukraine’s struggle.”
Britain said it would send 120 armored vehicles and new anti-ship missile systems to Ukraine.
at Blogtuan.info – Source: Soha.vn – Read the original article here
