Russian coast guard sinks cargo ship, eight sailors drown

In another example of a different Russia increasingly showing its teeth, a Russian coast guard ship sank The New Star, a Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship that just left Nakhodka (far east Russia). Eight of the crew from China and Indonesia died when their open raft sank in stormy waters.

The vessel intended to deliver a shipment of rice at the end of January but the purchaser refused due to poor quality. The ship's owner — Hong Kong-based J-Rui Lucky Shipping — said the ship left harbor February 12 without permission because authorities were dragging their feet.

A chase ensued with the captain ignoring warnings and warning shots from the Russian ship. The captain reported intending to return to Nakhodka but the crew abandoned ship in icy and heavy seas after they reported engine and rudder problems, February 15. The crew that died were in an open raft. The crew of another, closed raft were picked up by the Russian ship.

Both China and the ship's owner have condemned the attack and demanded a full investigation.