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Russian cargo ship SEIZED in English Channel for ‘violating EU sanctions’ imposed by West after Putin’s Ukraine invasion
A RUSSIAN cargo ship has been intercepted in the English Channel by French authorities.
The 416ft boat belongs to one of the 100 Russian companies which were this week hit by EU sanctions - and is thought to be the first Russian asset seized.
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It had now reportedly been seized after it was spotted early this morning.
The boat was intercepted by customs officials near Honfleur, in Normandy, after departing from the French city of Rouen.
Captain Veronique Magnin of the French Maritime Prefecture said the cargo vessel transporting cars, which was headed for St. Petersburg, is "strongly suspected of being linked to Russian interests targeted by the sanctions".
The ship was diverted to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.
The European Union, along with the U.S. and numerous other countries, has announced sanctions against Russia.
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The company that owns the ship belongs to a Russian businessman who is on the EU's list of sanctioned people, Magnin said.
The Russian embassy in France is seeking an explanation from authorities over the seizure, Russia's RIA news agency quoted the embassy as saying.
RUSSIAN SANCTIONS
Meanwhile No 10 is poised to unveil more economic and military assistance for Ukraine to help it defend itself against the Russian onslaught.
The UK and the west are hoping to bring Russia to its knees in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
On Tuesday the UK announced sanctions against five Russian banks and three oligarchs with close ties to the Kremlin.
And last night it was revealed that Premier League football team Chelsea could go bust if sanctions are imposed on its owner Roman Abramovich.
Ministers are currently discussing whether or not to freeze or seize the Russian billionaire's assets.
'SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION'
Putin declared war on Ukraine at 3am on Thursday by unleashing his terrifying arsenal with a full scale assault on the country.
The tyrant declared a “special military operation” after months of massing his forces on the border and lying about his plans to invade.
This morning Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to flee Kyiv as the battle rages for the country's capital.
An attempt by Russian forces to storm the city has so far been met with fierce resistance with Ukraine claiming it has shot down two planes carrying paratroopers to the battle.
At least 198 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed and 1,115 people wounded so far, the Ukrainian government has said.
President Zelenskyy growled a message of defiance as he refused a US offer of evacuation reportedly saying: "I need ammo not a ride."
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"The fights is here," he told US officials amid as Russian forces stormed the capital, encountering fierce Ukrainian resistance.
In video messages, he also quashed rumours he has called for a surrender.
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