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2 Dead, 2 Missing in Fatal Russia-Ukraine Collision at Sea

18 July 2013 17:51 (UTC +04:00)

A Russian border service boat and a Ukrainian fishing vessel collided in the Sea of Azov Wednesday evening, statements issued by Russian and Ukrainian authorities say.

Of the five people reportedly on board the fishing vessel, one was rescued, two are missing, and two died, the Ukrainian police service said in a statement.

The fishing boat had strayed out of Ukrainian waters and was in Russian coastal waters when it collided with a Russian border service vessel and sank, Ukrainian officials said.

The Russian border service said in a statement that the Russian vessel was giving chase, guiding the fishing boat out of a “closed zone” when the Ukrainian vessel made a sudden change of course, turned toward the pursuing Russian vessel, collided with it and sank.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry issued a statement expressing concern over the Russian actions, labeling them “disproportionate” and summoned the Russian representation to the country over the incident.