--- title: Reports of Russian Navy detaining three vessels description: two vessels have been detained by the Russian Navy in proximity to Snake Island and directed towards the Crimea peninsula. image: https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hubfs/Schermafbeelding%202022-02-27%20om%2014.30.17.png --- ###### 3 min read # Reports of Russian Navy detaining three vessels By: [ Casper Goldman ](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/author/casper-goldman) on February 27, 2022 at 2:31 PM [ukraine](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/tag/ukraine) - [**](https://twitter.com/GlobalDryad) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/dryad-global/) - [**](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZSIjPkeq7iDcsj4r9TF9mg?sub_confirmation=1) ![Featured Image](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hubfs/Schermafbeelding%202022-02-27%20om%2014.30.17.png) Reporting indicates that the Ukrainian Government and the Ukrainian Ports Authority reported three vessels have been detained by the Russian Navy in proximity to Snake (Zmiiny) Island, two of which have been directed towards the Crimea peninsula. A fourth vessel sustained light damage, though it is unclear how and when this was sustained.   A [statement, ](https://www.kmu.gov.ua/news/derzhprikordonsluzhba-rosijski-pirati-zahopili-dva-ukrayinskih-sudna-iz-mirnimi-ekipazhami)issued by the Ukrainian government on Sunday, said that following the announcement of a “counter-terrorist operation” in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, Russian navy vessels have captured two Ukrainian civilian vessels. The statement points out that this is in defiance with norms and convention of international law.   The statement identifies the first vessel as the Ukrainian flagged Athena, who was reportedly sailing in Romanian waters when, 22nm off Snake Island, she received a command to approach a Russian warship for inspection. The shipowner of the Athena immediately informed all the competent authorities in Ukraine.  Another ship is believed to have been detained after a sharp and illogical change of course was recorded. The Ukrainian flagged Princess Nicole’s AIS data was also showing a course towards Snake Island.   When both civilian vessels approached the Russian warships, their AIS were turned off and communication stopped. This morning, AIS data indicated that they are now staying 18nm off the coast of Crimea.   The statement condemned the incident for an act of piracy under the guise of a self-proclaimed counter-terrorist operation. The statement continues that the vessels have 50 civilians on board, as well as thousands of tons of diesel fuel and grain.   The two vessels referred to in the statement are identified as the Ukrainian-flagged Bulk Carrier PRINCESS NICOLE (IMO 8319392) and Bulk Carrier AFINA (IMO 8029272). Both vessels were drifting 58NM NW Sevastopol (Crimea Peninsula) at 07:47UTC and 08:19UTC on Sunday respectively.  AIS data also shows 7 vessels, including the PRINCESS NICOLE and AFINA, being stopped in proximity to Snake Island around 04:26UTC on Saturday. All vessels u-turned between 09:00UTC and 11:35UTC. The PRINCESS NICOLE and AFINA halted at the same location between 12:00UTC and 13:00UTC, after u-turning, and both stopped transmitting around 13:20 UTC. Footage appears to show one of the other 5 vessels that was halted on Saturday, the Panama flagged Bulk carrier LORD NELSON (IMO 9296315), on Sunday passing the Bosporus strait with light damage on the vessel hull. It is unclear how this damage was sustained and whether this was sustained at the same time that the PRINCESS NICOLE and AFINA were reportedly detained by the Russian Navy.    ![](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hubfs/MicrosoftTeams-image%20(16)-png.png) *Photo: damage LORD NELSON* Additionally, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority has [reported ](https://www.facebook.com/uspa.gov.ua) that they lost communication with tug vessel SAPFIRE (IMO 9728351), also when operating in proximity to Snake Island. AIS data shows the vessel operating in close proximity to Russian held Snake Island, as well as the PRINCESS NICOLE, the AFINA, and the LORD NELSON.       ###### Share article [![Share on Facebook](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Drayad_DMP21/Images/fb.png?width=24&name=fb.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Funconfirmed-russian-navy-detains-two-vessels%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Drayad_DMP21/Images/linkedin.png?width=24&name=linkedin.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Funconfirmed-russian-navy-detains-two-vessels%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Drayad_DMP21/Images/twitter.png?width=24&name=twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Funconfirmed-russian-navy-detains-two-vessels%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Funconfirmed-russian-navy-detains-two-vessels%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Reports%20of%20Russian%20Navy%20detaining%20three%20vessels) [![Share on Pinterest](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Drayad_DMP21/Images/pinterest.png?width=24&name=pinterest.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Funconfirmed-russian-navy-detains-two-vessels%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=https%3A%2F%2Ff.hubspotusercontent40.net%2Fhubfs%2F4795492%2FDrayad_DMP21%2FImages%2Fpinterest.png) [![Share on Email](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Drayad_DMP21/Images/mail.png?width=24&name=mail.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Funconfirmed-russian-navy-detains-two-vessels%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Funconfirmed-russian-navy-detains-two-vessels%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) #### Related Posts ### [Kidnapping at sea for ransom drops as oil prices.. 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