Russia attacked a merchant ship near Odesa: captain killed

On September 17, a Russian drone attacked a civilian vessel flying the Tanzanian flag in the Black Sea, which was heading to one of the Ukrainian ports. The captain was killed and three other crew members were injured as a result of the strike.

This was reported by the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine. The condition of the vessel itself after the attack is currently being clarified.

The ministry called the attacked vessel civilian and stressed that Russia continues to strike merchant shipping, Ukrainian ports, and port infrastructure.

Notably, that same morning the Russian Ministry of Defense itself reported a strike on a dry cargo ship in the Black Sea, approximately 11 km east of Odesa.

The Russian agency claimed that the vessel was heading to the port of Odesa and allegedly was carrying cargo for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. No evidence of the military nature of the cargo was provided in the Russian side's message.

The Ukrainian side, for its part, characterizes the attacked vessel as a civilian merchant ship. The ministry of infrastructure did not specify its name, type of cargo, or specific port of destination.

Given the time of the attack and reports of a strike on a vessel near Odesa, the statement by the Russian Ministry of Defense may relate to the same incident, but officially the Ukrainian side did not link these two reports together.

This is not the first Russian strike on civilian shipping in the area of Ukrainian Black Sea ports recently. On September 13, Russian drones damaged the search-and-rescue tug "Sapphire" in one of the ports of Odesa region. The vessel was marked in accordance with international maritime conventions; there were no casualties at that time.

In addition, in recent days, the Russian Ministry of Defense has repeatedly reported strikes on dry cargo ships in the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk or during their passage at sea. The Russian side traditionally claims that such vessels are carrying cargo for the Ukrainian military.

The Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories stated that the systematic attacks pose a threat to international shipping and logistical routes in the Black Sea, and called on international partners for coordinated actions to enhance their protection.

Based on materials: Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine