The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) released a video of three alleged Ukrainian crew members speaking about the Kerch Strait incident on Monday.
“I am Drach Andrei, member of the crew of vessel Nikopol of Ukrainian Naval Forces. On 23 November I received an objective to follow the routes of Odessa-Mariupol through the Kerch Strait. On the way to Mariupol through the Kerch Strait we reached territorial waters of the Russian Federation where the Border Service of the Russian Federation warned us that that we violated the legislation of the Russian Federation. They told us repeatedly to leave the territorial waters of the Russian Federation. During anchoring, the Border Service warned us once again that we must leave the territorial waters of the Russian Federation, to reach the 12 mile zone and await further instructions about our passing through the Kerch Strait. “
“I am Tsybizov Sergey Andreevich. On Friday morning at 8am we left Odessa and headed towards Berdyansk through the Kerch Strait and reached Russian waters. Afterwards we were told to stop and await further instructions.”
“Before opening fire, green rocket launchers were noticed.”
“We sailed further on ‘Nikopol’ and Russian vessels contacted us and requested to stop and reverse. Otherwise they would open fire. The captain of our vessel made a decision and stopped the boat. We were taken off the boat.”
“I am Lesovoy Vladimir Vladimirovich, a commander of the military unit A-1728. From 22 November 2018 in the convoy of the ships of Ukrainian Naval Forces; [inaudible] tugboat Yani Kapu, boats Nikopol and Berdyansk, I carried out the passage through the Kerch Strait. After crossing the state border of the Russian Federation I saw by sight vessels of the Border Service of the Russian Federal Security Service. I ignored requests to stop on purpose. During the passing on the board, weapons were carried and a DShK machine gun with ammunition. I was aware that the presence of a grouping of ships of the Ukrainian Navy in the Kerch Strait was a provocation in its nature. I, as an official serviceman, implemented an order and planned to carry out a relocation of ships from Odessa to Mariupol.”