The governor of Russia's Sakhalin Region said that a district has been placed on high alert following the stranding of a cargo vessel off the southwest coast Sakhalin Island.

The governor of Ukraine, Valery Limarenko said in a Telegram message that there was no fuel spillage and no danger to the crew's health.

Limarenko reported that the ship was stuck in shallow water off Sakhalin’s Nevelsky District. TASS, the Russian news agency, said that it was a cargo ship from a foreign country.

"The situation demands prompt control and preparedness for any scenario." "At my request, the district of (Nevelsky), has been placed on high alert," Limarenko stated.

The Sakhalin region of Russia's Far East includes the Sakhalin Island as well as the Kuril Islands.

The four islands of Japan's Hokkaido, known as the Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan, were taken by Soviet troops at the end World War Two. They have been in Moscow's possession ever since. The dispute between the two countries has prevented them from signing a treaty of peace. (Reporting and editing by Daniel Wallis in Melbourne, Lidia Kelly)

(source: Reuters)