Armed Russian inspection of Black Sea cargo ship proven on video as Moscow releases footage

Aug 15, 2023 at 8:43 PM
Armed Russian inspection of Black Sea cargo ship proven on video as Moscow releases footage

The Kremlin has launched footage exhibiting armed naval inspectors boarding a cargo ship within the Black Sea – a vessel that allegedly didn’t cease when instructed to by a Russian warship.

Moscow stated it fired warning shots on the Palau-flagged Sukru Okan after it failed to reply to a requirement for it to halt on Sunday.

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A still image from a video, released by Russia's Defence Ministry, shows what it said to be a Russian navy officer talking to a crew member during an operation to board the Palau-flagged Sukru Okan vessel with the help of a Ka-29 military helicopter in the Black Sea
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A Russian navy officer talks to a crew member on the Sukru Okan: Pic: Russian Defence Ministry

In 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.

“Stop machine, stop machine,” one of many armed Russians says as crew members first have their fingers on their heads after which kneel as a Russian army helicopter approaches.

“Keep calm and listen to me,” one other Russian says. “Good day sir. I am Russian naval officer – please don’t shoot my group on video.”

It seems the vessel’s failure to cease might have been attributable to a language barrier.

In one clip launched by the defence ministry, a Russian calls for: “Speak English.”

“Yes, I am speaking English,” a crew member replies.

A still image from a bodycam footage, released by Russia's Defence Ministry, shows what it said to be crew members kneeling down in a cockpit during an operation held by Russian navy officers to board the Palau-flagged Sukru Okan vessel with the help of a Ka-29 military helicopter in the Black Sea
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Crew members kneel down throughout an operation by Russian navy officers. Pic: Russian Defence Ministry

Russia Says Footage Shows Military Personnel Boarding Cargo Ship in Black Sea
Image:
Pic: Russian Defence Ministry

The Russian officer then questions the captain – by way of 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, bad understand,” the crew member says in English.

“Thank you, you good day sir,” the Russian officer says as he leaves.

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The work of the inspection staff was carried out “professionally in accordance with the requirements of international documents”, Russia’s defence ministry stated.

“After the completion of the work of the inspection team on board the Sukru Okan, a verification protocol was drawn up, (and) the ship continued to move to the port of Izmail (southwestern Ukraine),” it added.