Russian Navy seized two Ukrainian civilian vessels near Snake Island.

According to information published by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine on February 27, 2022, ships of the Russian navy captured two more civilian Ukrainian ships on the territory of the sovereign state of Ukraine and in the international waters of the northwestern Black Sea.
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Ukrainian Tanker Afina (Picture source: AfricaUya)

The tanker Afina, located in the territorial sea of Romania, 22 miles from the island of Snake, received an open channel of communication and safety of navigation command to approach the Russian warship for inspection. The shipowner of the tanker Afina immediately informed all the competent authorities in Ukraine.

Maritime border guards recorded the fact of a sharp and illogical change of course by another ship under the Ukrainian flag. The Princess Nicole dry cargo ship from Romanian waters was also headed for Snake Island.

Almost as soon as both civilian ships approached the Russian warships, the AIS was turned off and they stopped communicating.

On February 27, automatic vehicle identification systems have shown their location 18 miles from Crimea.

AFINA is a Bulk Carrier that was built in 1983 (39 years ago) and is sailing under the flag of Ukraine. Its carrying capacity is 35419 t DWT and her current draught is reported to be 11.3 meters. Her length overall (LOA) is 177.5 meters and her width is 29.51 meters.