Ukraine seizes Russian tanker, frees crew after Moscow threat

A view shows the Russian tanker, now called Nika Spirit and formerly named Neyma, which was detained by the Ukrainian security services in the port of Izmail, Ukraine in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on July 25, 2019. State Border Guard Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine on Thursday seized a Russian tanker for its alleged involvement in the capture of three Ukrainian navy vessels by Russia, prompting Moscow to warn of consequences if any Russian citizens were "taken hostage".

The crew members were later freed by Ukraine and were on their way home, but the tanker remained in Ukrainian custody in the Danube river port of Izmail, a spokesman for the Russian Embassy in Kiev said by telephone.