ISTANBUL

Russia claimed on Tuesday that it detected three unmanned boats belonging to the Ukrainian navy in the northern part of the Black Sea.

A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry said the boats were detected at about 4 a.m. Moscow time (0100GMT), and that the area they were detected was hit by “anti-sabotage missile and bomb systems.”

“A set of mine and anti-sabotage measures are being carried out on the outer roadstead of Sevastopol Bay,” the statement further said.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on Russia’s claim, and independent verification of it is difficult due to the ongoing conflict.