First Cargo Ship Leaves Mariupol Port
The first cargo ship has left Mariupol port since the Ukrainian city was taken by Russia. The separatist leader in the region says via Telegram that 2,500 tons of metal are being transported to Russia.
The ship travels a route of 160 kilometres to Rostov-on-Don. This Russian town is located east of the Sea of Azov, which borders both Russia and Ukraine.
In Ukraine, there was immediate talk of looting when the transport was announced last week. Russia is also accused by Ukrainian authorities of stealing Ukrainian grain.
Mariupol has recently come under full Russian control, following the surrender of the last fighting soldiers who had been hiding on a large factory site.
Russia, which controls Ukraine’s coast along the Sea of Azov, said last week that the port had been cleared of mines and reopened to commercial shipping.
