The Ukrainian Navy rescued the crew of the foreign cargo vessel VICTRESS after it was hit by a Russian drone. This was reported by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to the military, a major fire broke out on the vessel after it was struck by an enemy UAV. VICTRESS is owned by a Turkish shipowner and sails under the flag of Panama.
There were nine crew members on board — citizens of Egypt, Turkey and India.
The Navy said that due to the difficult situation and the threat of the fire spreading further, crews of Ukrainian Navy boats carried out a rescue operation and evacuated the sailors.
“Unfortunately, there are losses among them,” the Navy said.
Earlier, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba said Russian drones had struck civilian merchant vessels heading to Ukrainian ports.
According to him, a 58-year-old cook, an Egyptian citizen, was killed after a strike on a Panama-flagged vessel. Eight sailors, including citizens of Turkey and India, were forced to evacuate on a life raft.
Kuleba also reported attacks on vessels flying the flags of Palau and Belize. According to him, fortunately, there were no casualties there, and the damaged vessels continued moving.
The Navy stressed that the incident once again demonstrates Russia’s violation of international maritime law and the threats it poses to civilian shipping.
The Ukrainian Navy said it would continue doing everything possible to make the sea safe.
