Turkey 'concerned' over targeting of Ukrainian vessels

By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet

ANKARA (AA) -Turkey expressed concern Monday over reports that Russian military opened fire on Ukrainian navy vessels, wounding crew members.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Turkey closely followed the developments and rising tension in Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.

Russia seized three Ukrainian navy warships off Crimea in the Sea of Azov on Sunday.

Russia said the vessels ignored calls to stop at the border, sparking military action.

The Ukrainian Navy earlier accused Russia of opening fire on its warships off Crimea, asserting that crew members were wounded and its vessels were seized by Russia.

The escalation follows Russia's blocking of the Kerch Strait, the only passage to the Sea of Azov, by placing a cargo vessel under the Crimean Bridge.