“Ukrainian nationalists continue to hold 6,198 foreign citizens from nine states hostage as a human shield,” the general said.
He added that 76 foreign ships from 18 countries continue to be blocked in Ukrainian ports.
According to Mizintsev, Kyiv has created a threat of shelling and a high mine danger in its internal waters and in the territorial sea, which prevents ships from going to the open sea without hindrance.
“The Kiev authorities still continue to evade interaction with representatives of states and ship-owning companies in resolving the issue of ensuring the safe exit of foreign ships to the assembly area,” the general said.
He also stated that Russia is taking all measures to ensure civil navigation in the waters of the Black, Azov and Mediterranean seas.
Earlier, the forces of the People's Militia of the DPR took the port of Mariupol - they freed two ships captured by Ukrainian nationalists.
47 crew members from Russia, Egypt, Azerbaijan and Ukraine were evacuated.