Ukraine accused of seizing foreign ships — RT

 and are holding their crews hostage.

DPR forces, backed by Russia, have been fighting with Ukrainians for control of the port since late February. Mariupol is the second largest city in the DPR, which has been recognised as an independent state by Russia, since February. Kiev considers it to be part of its territory.

According to DPR military spokesman Eduard Basurin, “a group of retreating Ukrainian nationalists” from the Azov Battalion boarded two foreign ships, the Lady Augusta and the Tsarevna.

Basurin said the fighters are firing mortars, grenade launchers, and small arms from the vessels while “holding the crews hostage.” He added that DPR forces and Russian troops are trying to rescue the trapped sailors, and that it is unclear if there are any casualties among the crews.

According to tracking website vesselfinder.com, the Lady Augusta is a Jamaican-flagged cargo ship, and the Tsarevna is a Maltese-flagged bulk carrier.