A Russian military ship has sunk after colliding with another vessel in the Black Sea. However, contrary to earlier press reports, all the sailors have been saved.
Liman, a Moma class medium reconnaissance ship in Russia's Black Sea Fleet, collided with another vessel known as Ashot-7. The collision punctured Liman below the waterline, causing the ship to sink.
Turkish rescuers evacuated 78 people from the site of the incident, Reuters reported earlier today. They are currently awaiting evacuation by a Russian ship, the Defense Ministry told Russia's TV Dozhd channel.
The Ministry's statement contradicts an earlier report by Turkey's the Daily Sabah that 15 Russian sailors were missing after the collision.
According to the Ministry, the incident took place at 11:53 a.m. in the south-western part of the Black Sea. Rescue ships from the Black Sea Fleet and AN-26 aircraft were dispatched to assist in the rescue operation. No injuries were sustained in the collision, the Ministry told TV Dozhd.