Little update on the tanker:
A source told Russia’s Interfax news agency that the crew aboard the tanker is comprised of approximately 15 Russian citizens.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it was currently investigating the incident and warned Kyiv of a harsh response.
“If we are talking about taking Russians hostage, this would be qualified as a flagrant violation of international law and consequences will come quickly,” it said in a statement carried by state media.
The incident follows negotiations over the release of the Ukrainian sailors that have gained momentum.
Ukraine’s human-rights ombudswoman, Lyudmyla Denisova, told the Hromadske TV channel that “agreements have already been reached on returning the sailors.”
A UN maritime tribunal on May 25 ruled that Russia must “immediately” release the 24 Ukrainian sailors and three Ukrainian naval vessels that were captured.
Looks like the crew has been released:
Russia's human rights Ombudswoman Tatyana Moskalkova said that the crew was released without being charged and that they will travel to Moscow via Moldova. Denis Golenko, the press attache at the Russian embassy in Kyiv confirmed their release to Interfax.
WATCH: An official Ukrainian video handout shows members of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) boarding the Russian tanker.
That's all for the live blog today. See you again tomorrow.
Good morning!
News overnight on the pending direct meeting between Zelenskiy and Trump:
U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy on his parliamentary victory as the leaders discussed the agenda of their first tête-à-tête.
Trump and Zelenskiy spoke by phone on July 25 to discuss “ways to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Ukraine, including energy and economic cooperation,” the White House said in a statement.