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Russian spy ship sinks after colliding with livestock vessel off Turkey

Russian Navy's reconnaissance ship sails in the Bosphorus  - Reuters
Russian Navy's reconnaissance ship sails in the Bosphorus - Reuters

A Russian navy ship collided with another vessel off the Turkish coast in the Black Sea Thursday, Russia's defence ministry said, adding that its crew was trying to keep it afloat.

Some 78 crew members were rescued, according to a Turkish coastal safety official, who said the Liman's hull had been breached and was taking on water. 

The freighter, which was carrying livestock and flying the Togo flag, collided with the military ship 18 miles from Kilyos village, on the Black Sea coast just north of Istanbul. 

The Turkish official did not give any details on the freighter, or the condition of its crew.

The Liman is a former research vessel that the Russian navy has retro-fitted into a reconnaissance ship.

In February, military sources told Russian media that it would be observing NATO's Sea Shield exercise in the Black Sea.

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