Russia’s anti-submarine ship rescues Ukrainian sailors in Mediterranean

The Russian Northern Fleet’s anti-submarine ship The Vice-Admiral Kulakov has extended assistance to a Ukrainian fishing boat in the Mediterranean, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Nov. 24.

"The Admiral Kulakov received a mayday call from a Ukrainian shipping boat, 097 with a crew of seven on board (all Ukrainian citizens). Two of them needed medical assistance," the Defense Ministry said in a news release received by TASS.

As follows from the release, the Russian ship picked up the distress message at 08:20 Moscow time to instantly hurry to the rescue.

"At 09:45 the Russian ship approached the Ukrainian fishing boat and took measures to provide assistance required. A group of Russian sailors and medics boarded the Ukrainian boat in distress. The affected sailors are receiving first aid," the news release runs.

At the moment the Russian naval sailors are looking into whether the crew of the Ukrainian ship should be evacuated. Also, the Russian sailors are to decide on whether the boat is reparable or have to be tugged to the nearest seaport.

The Ukrainian fishing boat has been adrift for the past two days since its engine went dead on Nov. 21. A four-point storm on the sea and strong gales complicated the rescue operation.

Source: TASS

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