ENSU-RESU
On April 30, the European Network for Solidarity with Ukraine (ENSU) learned that the vessel carrying the Ukrainian team as part of the Sumud Global Flotilla 2026 was one of those illegally seized by the Israeli Navy early that morning.
Twenty two out of the flotilla’s 58 vessels were captured by Israel near Crete, over a thousand kilometres from the coast of Gaza.
ENSU coordinator Szymon Martys described the raid as "a blatant and cynical attack on unarmed vessels navigating peacefully in international waters”. He demanded the immediate release of the detained crews, which include the Ukrainian team of Nina Potarska and Andrii Movchan (see above for Nina’s video to be released in case of their kidnapping and Andrii’s account of it). The two Ukrainians were later handed over to Greek authorities on Crete.
Martys commented that the Israeli's government's action--attacking the flotilla when it was over 600 nautical miles from Gaza and before public attention on its mission would be at a peak--betrayed its fear of the power of international solidarity with the Palestinian people.
"We in the Ukraine solidarity movement understand this truth", he added. "Powerful governments, like Netanyahu's and Putin's, although armed to the teeth, can be brought low by the mass mobilisation of all who stand for the rights of peoples. The Sumud Global Flotilla is symbol of popular indignation at the murderous violence of war and of people’s determination to stand with the oppressed."
The Ukrainian team had joined the Sumud Global Flotilla to help the humanitarian effort for the blockaded people of Gaza, towards whom they, as members of a nation also victim of brutal invasion, feel a special duty of solidarity.