A Russian drone attack damaged the maritime search-and-rescue tug “Sapphire” at one of the ports in Odesa region. According to preliminary information, no one was injured.
The Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine reported the incident.
The ministry said the vessel was clearly marked in accordance with international maritime conventions.
“Sapphire” is a civilian SAR (Search and Rescue) vessel that performs exclusively civilian functions.
The ministry stressed that civilian vessels, port infrastructure and rescue services cannot be considered legitimate military targets.
It also said such attacks pose a direct threat to the lives of sailors, rescuers and port workers, as well as to the safety of international shipping.
Ukraine is documenting all circumstances and evidence related to the strike.
The ministry plans to inform the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and international partners about the attack and will call for an appropriate response.
The ministry described the strike as another violation of international humanitarian and maritime law and called for Russia to be condemned for its systematic attacks on civilian shipping and Ukraine’s port infrastructure.
