The Russian destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov rescues a Ukrainian fishing vessel in the Mediterranean

Kind of a symbolic news item today: the The Russian Navy destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov has rescued the Ukrainian fishing ship “097” in the Mediterranean.  The engines of the fishing vessel “097” broke down and she was adrift for two days until her captain decided to send an SOS.  The closest ship was the Russian destroyer who came to her help (no NATO or EU vessel offered to help).  The Russians sent a boat with a few sailors and a medical doctor (two Ukrainian were lightly wounded) to help the Ukrainians and they brought the Ukrainian captain to the Russian ship were it was agreed that the Vice-Admiral Kulakov would tow the “097” to the nearest post, in this case Cyprus.  Here is some footage of the event:

and this is a recent photo of the Russian destroyer:

Most predictably, while the Ukrainian news agencies did in report that their ship was towed, they just forgot to identify the towing ship or to what country it belonged.

Oh well, while the politicians are every bit as ugly as always, it is good to see that the brotherhood of sailors remains strong in spite of politics.  The Ukrainians are all safe and in good health.

The Saker