Ukraine Threatens To Shoot Russian Boats Harassing Ukrainian Ships

By Donald Standeford, Correspondent
Date Published: 2021-04-16 time PST
Last Modified: 2021-05-03 11:22PM PST

The Ukrainian navy threatened to shoot Russian coast guard vessels that have begun harassing Ukraine's ships near the Kerch Strait, as Russia, accused by the Ukraine of blocking access to the Black Sea, began making 'provocative maneuvers' around the Ukrainian vessels.

After the Ukrainian boats put out threats to open fire on the Russian vessels, they discontinued their provocative maneuvers and sailed away.

The harassment by Russia began as the Ukraine put out a warning to Germany that it will began building its own nuclear arsenal if NATO rejects their request to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The United States had sent two warships to the Black Sea to patrol the waters, but Biden pulled them back after Russia threatened the United States with further escalation if their warships entered the region.

The United States, France, Germany and the Ukraine have all called for the withdrawal of the Russian troops, tanks, artillery and ballistic missiles amassed at the Ukrainian border, yet the only response from Russia so far has been to send more assets around the Black Sea within striking distance of the Ukraine.