The three Ukrainian ships, arrested by Russia on November 25th, 2018 were returned, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced on November 20th, 2019.
The ships were welcomed by their crews, who were released by Russia on September 7th, 2019, as part of the 35:35 prisoner exchange with Ukraine. The military personnel that was arrested in 2018 were charged with violating the Russian border.
“The Ukrainian ships Berdyansk, Nikopol and Yana Kapu, captured by Russia last year, arrived at the port of Ochakov. They were accompanied by tugboats “Titan”, “Haydamak” and search and rescue ship “Sapphire”, which left the ports of Odessa, the Black Sea and the South on November 16th,” the statement said.
According to the commander of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Admiral Igor Voronchenko, the Russian side dismantled the communications and navigation equipment on the ships.
“Investigative actions will be carried out by the State Bureau of Investigation and the military prosecutor’s office, after which we will have a complete picture of the condition of the transferred ships. This will allow us to hand over information to Ukrainian and international courts for a legal assessment of Russia’s actions,” said Voronchenko.
Ukraine state outlet Ukrinform also cited Voronchenko, who claimed that the Russian side even dismantled the toilets of the ships, as well as the lights and electricity sockets.
“At present, they are only approaching territorial waters. They will arrive in about 16 hours. They are being towed, the speed is very low. They do not move under their own power. Russians killed them. They removed even dome lights, sockets, and toilet bowls. We will now show everything to the whole world – Russians’ barbaric attitude to this,” Voronchenko said.
In typical absurd manner, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to return all missing equipment from the Russian ships, probably the toilet bowls as well. Whether he would wear bracelets for each of the pieces of equipment that’s gone is questionable.
“I saw the condition, there will be an investigation. We will see all the details,” he said in the military harbor in Ochakovo, where the ships arrived in the evening. The head of state added that he intends to appeal to the Russian side, “so that they return everything.”
In relation, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kateryna Zelenko said that Ukraine, at a later date, may require compensation from Russia for the seizure of the ships and the arrest of its sailors.
“This will allow us at a later stage to talk about the payment by the Russian Federation of compensation for damage suffered. We will carry out a very thorough examination of these vessels. First, we need to see what they look like, whether equipment or documentation was seized. That is, there are many elements that can then be used as evidence. And only on this basis, once we have a decision of an arbitration tribunal, we will be able to talk about any amounts,” Zelenko said.
Russia released the detained ships as a ‘goodwill gesture’ in an another attempt to de-escalate the situation in the region and find a political solution to the existing contradictions. Nonetheless, the Ukrainian side expectedly used this to ramp up its propaganda camapaign against Russia.
The release of the ships comes just ahead of another round of the Normandy Format, in which the situation in Eastern Ukraine, as well as gas transit through Ukraine will discussed on December 9th.
“The gas issue will be discussed at the Normandy format, that is, from the economic plane to the political one. Consequently, Naftogaz will be removed from the negotiation process, representatives of Germany, France and the presidents of Ukraine and Russia will decide the issue. I think there will be a comprehensive solution, at least for a year,” suggested an analyst at the Institute for Strategic Studies Yuri Korolchuk.
Europe insists on solving the problem of gas transit at the Normandy Format. The current transit agreement between Ukraine and Russia expires at the end of 2019. Several rounds of negotiations involving Ukraine’s Naftogaz, Russia’s Gazprom and the heads of the energy ministries of Ukraine and the Russian Federation did not lead to anything. Negotiators have only repeated the same old conditions for a while.
The topic of gas was mentioned by German Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who was on a working visit to Kiev on November 19th. The main topics for discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vadim Priestayko were interaction in the Norman format, as well as “problems of energy security in Europe.”
According to Maas, the position of Germany – gas transit through Ukraine should be extended after 2019.
“German Chancellor Angela Merkel clearly told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the implementation of alternative gas transit through Ukraine is very important for us. Putin made some promises to Merkel. Now it’s Russia’s turn to realize the commitments undertaken to resolve the situation in the Donbas,” Heiko Maas said.
Whether any of that will happen, or Ukraine will decide to sabotage that as well will be seen soon.
As a possible omen of what’s to come, recently a United States ship, transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) for Ukraine arrived at the LNG terminal Swinoujscie (Poland), located in the Baltic Sea.
“This is another step in providing assistance to Ukraine in order to achieve energy independence,” the US Embassy in Ukraine said in a statement.
On August 31st, Washington, Warsaw and Kiev signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the supply of natural gas. The document states that this should contribute to the reform of the Ukrainian gas market, the development of infrastructure for the import of raw materials into Poland, US exports, as well as gas connectors in the region.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Talking of Ukraine, I am surprised that this has not been reported:
BREAKING! TRUMP WAS RIGHT!… Head of Burisma Holdings Indicted in Ukraine! …Claims Hunter Biden and Partners Paid $16.5 MILLION… https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/11/breaking-trump-was-right-head-of-burisma-holdings-arrested-in-ukraine/
Why does the article below remind me of Saakashvili and the article on him, with regards ‘organ harvesting’ via Ukraine? Wasn’t his wife also involved in the ‘organ harvesting’ operation? Not forgetting the child brothels that were allegedly set up in Ukraine, for when NATO came to town. Which takes me back to Mark Dutroux and why did so many Belgium MPs have to resign when he was arrested? Where did they go? Isn’t the NATO HQ as well as EU Parliament based in Belgium? I wonder how many of those MPs from Belgium, who were forced to resign ended up working in the various NATO led ‘think tanks’, NATO HQ or EU Parliament? Or am I being cynical?
People who produce and save are supposed to be rewarded. But not anymore.
How BullionReviews.com Muddies The Water: When A Bullion Dealer Is Both The Reviewed & Reviewer by SilverBullionSG – Nov 21, 2019 1:58 am We expose the shady forces behind BullionReviews.com with the results of our investigative efforts. Global Gold Buyers Are ‘Confident’ in Gold by GoldCore – Nov 21, 2019 6:06 am Check out the findings from the largest ever consumer survey on the global gold market.
Adam Shifty Schiff involved in illegal sodomite drug den EXPOSED… https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-10-20/adam-shifty-schiff-involved-illegal-sodomite-drug-den-exposed
Must admit the article does give a different meaning to ‘Black Maled’ MPs enjoying the rear entrance.
Talking of Ukraine. Isn’t it true that the indictment you’re referring to hasn’t actually been effected but, rather, is an unsubstantiated claim made by none other than Alexander Dubinsky concerning, what Dubinksky claims is, a “leaked document”?
Isn’t Alexander Dubinsky connected to PrivatBank’s former co-owner Ihor Kolomoisky?
The indictment has been drawn up though, has it not? I wonder what it will show and what charges they are focusing on?
‘…Ukrainian MP Alexander Dubinsky said in a presser Wednesday that he will reveal information about a “pyramid scheme” created in Ukraine using stolen funds, moved offshore and “bought Ukrainian public bonds turning them into the Ukrainian sovereign debt.”…
UPDATE — Head of Burisma Holdings Linked to Hunter Biden Is Indicted in Ukraine – THEN GOES MISSING… UPDATE — Head of Burisma Holdings Linked to Hunter Biden Is Indicted in Ukraine – THEN GOES MISSING ………………
Now this headline looks interesting, not that it will say anything we do not already know. How much does Busisma Holdings and the Soros Open Society Foundation give Atlantic Council?
“He’s an Oligarch in the Classic East European Russian Sense” – Joe diGenova Calls Out Obama-Handler George Soros… https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/11/hes-an-oligarch-in-the-classic-east-european-russian-sense-joe-digenova-calls-out-obama-handler-george-soros/
………..
Joe DeGenova – isn’t he the guy that Soros has demanded that Fox never gives him any airtime?
I find it strange that you seemingly ask countless questions but rarely answer any.
1. The indictment has been drawn up? You have real evidence of that?
2. Isn’t Alexander Dubinsky connected to PrivatBank’s former co-owner Ihor Kolomoisky?
Darling, I have no interest in Ukrainian politicians, whatsoever. Apart from Oleg Tsarov. One minute they are all friends, the next they have a hissy fit. So with regards Kolomoisky, the oligarch that was in control of Ukraine airspace, air traffic control when the MH17 went down. Was also in control of the Privatt Group, which Burisma Holdings was a part of. He was also good friends of Poroshenko and Saakashvili, back in those days, was he not? When giving jobs to the families of the Vice President of America and Secretary of State of America. The founder of the Nazi Azov Battaleon, and the Head of the European Jewish Community, over in Ukraine. How would I know if he was friends today, yesterday or tomorrow, with Alexander Dubinsky?
Burisma Holdings, when part of the Privatt Group, headed by Kolomoisky, was donating to the Atlantic Council, were they not? Kolomoisky, one of Zelensky’s mentors.
Now who was Zelensky’s other mentor?
Was it not George Soros, who funded the violent coup d’état in Ukraine? Who also donates to the Atlantic Council, courtesy his ‘Open Society Foundation’ and the same George Soros who tried to take control of Ukraine’s energy industry?
Have Soros and Kolomoisky had a falling out?
Who is going to take control of the Soros/Rothschild Naftogaz Investment, after December 2019? I wonder how many US politicians are linked into Naftogaz? Now why does the Stalker Zone article, relating to Vice President Pence and Joe Biden taking over Poroshenkos share of Ukraine Investments, so come to mind?
True Lies: Poroshenko Sells His Business to Dmitry Firtash, the “Party of Regions”, and Vice Presidents of the United States… https://www.stalkerzone.org/true-lies-poroshenko-sells-his-business-to-dmitry-firtash-the-party-of-regions-and-vice-presidents-of-the-united-states/
‘Have Soros and Kolomoisky had a falling out?’- hopefully, and the bigger the better.
It would not surprise me, owing to the stories out at the moment, featuring Kolomoisky. Fingers crossed as I sit back and munch on the popcorn. Bet they are not the only couple having problems haha.
Go easy on the popcorn, AM, especially if more good news come out. By the way, did you know that apparently, that witch or who I call mrs goebbels, suprun, the death, or ‘health’ minister, had to leave ukraine in August?
By the time the finale arrives, will be sick of popcorn.
Was wondering who you meant by Mrs Goebbels, whether Yovanovich or Saakashvilis wife, who was allegedly involved in the organ donor business. Trying to find a seriously good article, from years ago, which covered Saakashvili and his wife, plus, their good friend, the Doctor involved in ‘organ harvesting’. Didn’t realise his wife was Dutch.
Cannot find the article, owing to Google clean up, however, Benjamin Fulford covered it a few years ago.
https://theeventhub2015.blogspot.com/2016/05/full-article-benjamin-fulford-2016-05_19.html
I was referring to suprun.
How very odd. You concern yourself with Alexander Dubinsky when it comes to a supposed indictment concerning Burisma Holdings but you seem completely uninterested in Dubinsky where his connections to PrivatBank’s former co-owner, your nemesis, Ihor Kolomoisky is concerned.
Darling, I could not care who came up with the indictment charge and just wonder if either will still be around when it is actioned. Will they be taken out the Schiff way, which normally involves a helicopter accident or will they be taken out the Clinton way? Must check out what methods they have used on their ‘kill list’ victims. Or will they be taken out by those over in Ukraine who embrace swastika art?
LMAO…. I’m sorry but after years of your claims that everything connected to Kolomoisky is dirty and/or evil you’re suddenly uninterested in the fact that this supposed indictment has direct links to Kolomoisky.
I get it, AM, you had no idea that this indictment you’re jazzed up over is connected to the machinations of your nemesis, Ihor Kolomoisky.
I ask again, you have some evidence that this indictment actually exists?
Go and do your own research, there are many sources for you to find or are you too stupid?
Nice going. Once again you proved my point. You simple have nothing of value to add to any discussion.
Ihor Kolomoisky is a slime ball and, more to the point, the indictment AM keeps was going on about is a Kolomoisky led political ploy, In short, it doesn’t exist, kiddo.
I’ve given you the best info, namely PNAC, it trumps ALL of your nonsense.
You and the hysterical AM. You each think that by changing the subject you’ve somehow added something of value. It’s simply strange, kiddo.
You didn’t bother to read what Oleg – among others – said, did you?
You haven’t bothered to look to see if the indictment which has AM all jazzed up actually exists, have you?
I’ve read elsewhere about him.
Any new information on the Kolomoisky-led rumor about indictments in Ukraine?
I may be wrong but it’s looking more and more like Ihor Kolomoisky played you like a fiddle, AM. It seems the man was successful in getting you to do his personal/political bidding.
I can teach you authentic research techniques if you’re open to learning.
I can assure you it was not Kolomoisky playing me like a fiddle. Darling, I am more than choosy, with regards who plucks or pulls my strings.
And whenever you call somebody ‘Darling’, then they are in DEEP trouble. So glad you never used that on me. . ;)
Haha, never would Ralph. Do find the word a polite way of saying ‘bollocks”.
Why do you keep siding with evil shits like kolonmoisky?
http://zavtra.ru/blogs/ukrainu_vedut_na_uboj
And when were you on the Saker’s site, complaining against them the way you do against AM?
You’re expected to have the intelligence to put things together, on your own, boy.
You’re an extremely odd duck, Ralph. You seem never to have anything to contribute.