Russian reconnaissance ship collides with livestock carrier off Istanbul

Russian Navy reconnaissance ship ‘Liman’ collided with Togo-flagged livestock carrier ‘Youzarsif H’ north of Bosphorus, the Russian defense ministry has confirmed.

Liman sank in the collision despite the crew’s efforts to keep the vessel afloat. The reconnaissance ship’s hull was breached below the waterline.

In its statement, the Russian defense ministry said the Liman sailors were fighting to keep the vessel afloat while the Turkish Coast Guard said it rescued all 78 crew members aboard the ship, contradicting the Russian ministry’s statement.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet vessel was built in Poland as a research vessel and later turned into a reconnaissance ship.

According to media reports, the ship was expected to observe NATO’s Sea Shield exercise in the Black Sea.

A few more shots of Moma-class AIG intelligence ship Liman on Bosphorus Strait. pic.twitter.com/UKmkwl3Gzb

— alper böler (@alperboler) October 21, 2016