More Ukrainian Ships Pull Out from Crimea

The evacuation operation of the Ukrainian Navy ships from the Crimea region resumes as more ships redeploy to other naval bases.

Yesterday, May 20th saw the departure of several ships and vessels under the agreed arrangements of the Joint Commission of the Representatives of the Ukrainian and Russian Defense Ministries.

 The vessels that left Crimea were sea tug Korets and harbor tug Krasnoperekopsk, harbor minesweeper Henichesk and cutter, according to the Ukrainian Defence Ministry.

In total, 28 combat ships, cutters and vessels of the Ukrainian Navy have been evacuated from Crimea since April.  Among the first vessels to leave Crimea were Ukrainian missile boat Pryluky and tanker Fastov setting sail from Sevastopol.

Over 70 vessels of the Ukrainian Navy were stationed in Crimea prior to the disputed referendum and subsequent annexation of the region by the Russian Federation.

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Naval Today Staff, May 21, 2014; Image: Ukrainian MoD