The release of Ukrainian sailors captured by the Russian security forces in the Kerch Strait last November is a prospect for the near future, their lawyer, Nikolai Polozov, has said.

"A court has extended the seamen's detention until October. I suppose it is quite possible that the political decision on their release - especially when Ukraine has sent all the necessary documents - will be made by this time. I cannot answer whether this happens next week, in August or September," Polozov told the Crimea.Realities news portal.

In his opinion, the further detention of sailors will harm the interests of the Russian authorities, and, "of course, they will not allow that."

On July 17, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova proposed that Ukrainian sailors be released under her personal responsibility since such a possibility is enshrined in the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation.

On the same day, Moscow's Lefortovo Court extended the detention of all 24 Ukrainian seamen for three months.

Photo: Vladyslav Dubchak/Hromadske