Russians continue unauthorized troop movements in Sevastopol

July23200922:19

July 23, Ukraine traffic police have again detained military trucks of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol which carried cruise missiles, the third such incident this month. The convoy moved without the necessary permit from the Ukrainian authorities, a source close to Ukraine FM told The Ukrayinska Pravda.

In its note, Ukraine FM has brought to the notice of Moscow that it violates the bi-lateral agreements on the stationing of the BSF, FM press secretary Vasyl Kyrylych said.

In a similar violation, Ukraine traffic police stopped a column of BSF personnel carriers which tried to move across the city on their way to the base. The vehicles took part in a landing exercise rehearsal in preparation for the Russian Navy day on July 26, ITAR-TASS reports.

Last year, Ukraine police blocked personnel carriers from leaving the BSF Yacht Club, the place of landing, citing the lack of the required permit. The Russians then loaded the vehicles back on the landing ship and transported them by sea back to base.

For the first time this year, Russia has applied for a permit to hold the Navy day parade in one of Sevastopol’s harbors,

Meanwhile, the Kremlin accused Ukraine of staging a provocation by blocking the movement of Russian military vehicles, saying it builds up tensions in Sevastopol, 1+1 TV channel quotes a source among Russia's diplomats.

An unidentified diplomat claims Ukraine authorities have been notified in advanceabout the involvement of military vehicles in the parade.

“We are viewing the incident as yet another unfriendly provocative step by Kyiv that brings the already tense situation in the city to new heights,” the source said.

Presently, the Russian personnel carriers are located in the Yacht Club, he informed. BSF is conducting talks to settle the conflict. We believe that common sense will prevail and the problem will be settled, the Russian source added.