KYIV. May 3 (Interfax) - Russia has been stopping civilian vessels en route to Mariupol in the Sea of Azov since April 30 for inspection and identification purposes, the Ukrainian State Border Service said in a statement on Thursday said.
"Notably, no remarks are made, but Russia is holding a harsh policy of stopping and inspecting vessels routed for Ukraine," the service said.
A border patrol ship of the Federal Security Service (FSB) stopped a motor vessel manned by citizens of Turkey, Georgia, Egypt and Nigeria on its way to Mariupol on April 30. Russian border guards examined the ship and identified crewmembers. "No remarks were made by the occupants," the service said.
Another motor vessel going from the Israeli port of Ashdod to Ukraine's Mariupol and manned by Ukrainian citizens was stopped for a similar reason later on that day, the service said.
On May 1, Russian border guards stopped a ship flying the Bulgarian flag and manned by Bulgarian citizens. The ship was on its way from Italy's Nogaro to Ukraine's Mariupol, the service said.
According to the service, some ships have been examined several times.
Russian officers stopped a ship flying the Panama flag and manned by a Turkish and Georgian crew on May 2. The ship was en route from Italy's Marghera to Mariupol, Ukraine, the service said.