The crew of the two Ukrainian-flagged merchant ships that were captured by the Russian Navy over the weekend have been detained, besides the 'Princess Nicole' which was seized by Russian forces off Romania over the weekend on Feb 26/27, 2022, the 'Afina', which was diverted to waters off Crimea. Both the 'Nicole Nicole' and the 'Afina' have departed Russian-controlled waters off Sebastopol and are now located in Romanian waters off Constanta. Their physical location could not be immediately confirmed.
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SAPFIR
The 'Sapfir' was captured by the Russians at Zmeiniy island on Feb 26, 2022. The communication to the ship was lost. It was deployed in unspecified mission in the island's waters. The ship’s position and status as well as the crew's fate were presently unknown.
APRIL9
The bulk carrier 'Afina' (IMO: 8029272) was intercepted and captured by the Russian Navy ships in neutral Romanian waters on Feb 26, 2022, along with the 'Princess Nicole' (IMO:8319392) on it s way to Constanta. The 'Afina' was en route from Nikolayev to Constanta. Both ships were ordered to stop for search and check purposes, and later they were escorted to Crimean waters. The last AIS positionsn dated on Feb 27 a 10 a.m. UTC, were 56 nm NW of Sevastopol.
RWABEE
India said on Feb 3 the seven Indian sailors taken captive by Yemen’s Houthi rebels when they seized the 'Rwabee' on Jan 2 were safe, though the captors still have not provided access to the hostages. 11 crew members, including the Indian, are being held by the Houthis after they seized the vessel in the Red Sea. The rebels claimed the vessel was carrying “military supplies” and had entered Yemeni waters off the coast of Hudaydah “without authorisation”. Both India and the United Arab Emirates have demanded the release of the crew.
AFINA
The 'Afina' was intercepted and captured by the Russian Navy ships in neutral Romanian waters on Feb 26, 2022, along with the 'Princess Nicole' (IMO:8319392) on it s way to Constanta. The 'Afina' was en route from Nikolayev to Constanta. Both ships were ordered to stop for search and check purposes, and later they were escorted to Crimean waters. The last AIS positionsn dated on Feb 27 a 10 a.m. UTC, were 56 nm NW of Sevastopol.