Russia seizes two Chinese fishing ships

The Russian coast guard fired upon one Chinese trawler before detaining it and another ship for allegedly poaching off Russia’s eastern coast, state media reported Wednesday.

The Russian ship fired warning shots, then “opened targeted fire” to stop a vessel fishing for squid, state news agency Xinhua reported, citing Russian news sources. No casualties were reported.

The Chinese consulate in Vladivostok said it had been notified by Russian officials in the Primorsky region that the two ships were seized for illegally entering Russian waters, according to the report. Both vessels would be detained at the port of Nakhodk.

One ship had a crew of 17, the other 19, the consulate said.