Ukrainian sailors held captive

On November 25, 2018, Russian border guards rammed a Ukrainian military tug on its way to the port of Mariupol. Later, the Russians fired on the Ukrainian vessels and wounded 3 sailors.

After that, Russia seized 2 Ukrainian boats, Nikopol and Berdiansk, as well as the tug Yany Kapu. 24 Ukrainian sailors, crew members of the seized vessels, were taken prisoner by Russia.

The sailors were first arrested in annexed Crimea, and then sent to Moscow pre-trial detention centers, where they are now being held in custody. In January, their preventive measure was extended.

The Ukrainians declared themselves prisoners of war. They spent nine months in Russian captivity.

On September 7, 2019, all the sailors were returned to Ukraine as part of a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia.