Ukraine cannot confirm that Russians stopped a vessel in the Black Sea en route to the Ukrainian port of Izmail — The South Operational Command

The South Operational Command has stated that the Russians' stopping of a vessel that was heading to the Ukrainian port of Izmail has not been confirmed.

The head of the Joint Coordination Press Centre of the Southern Defense Forces, Natalia Humeniuk, said this on the national telethon.

Humeniuk said no other official source, other than the Russian Ministry of Defence, has commented on the incident. Therefore, it may be an element of hybrid warfare.

"Today we have only one thing — a demonstration of aggression by the Russian Ministry of Defence. They are doing their best to show their dominance in the Black Sea: they are supposedly able to stop the ship, raise the aircraft, and they will not be punished for it. Like, to inspect and let go," she added.

At the same time, Humeniuk noted that this message is a signal for every civilian vessel that the Russians are ready to use all these capabilities.