Mariupol, May 31 — DAN. A part of the vessels that remained in the Mariupol sea port will pass into the ownership of the Donetsk People’s Republic, DPR Head Denis Pushilin told reporters on Tuesday.

«A part of the vessels will transfer to the jurisdiction of the Donetsk People’s Republic; the appropriate decisions have already been made, so it’s already clear which flags they will fly, ” Pushilin said. „These vessels will be renamed.“

When asked if the DPR now has a merchant fleet, the DPR leader answered in the affirmative.

Mariupol’s trade port was fully freed from Ukrainian gunmen on April 13; the demining works were completed on May 25. Earlier on Tuesday, the first bulk carrier sailed from the Mariupol port.*jk