Russian unmanned aerial vehicles attacked civilian merchant ships in the Black Sea. As a result of the attack, a crew member of a Panamanian-flagged vessel was killed and two others were injured, one of whom is in a serious condition. A vessel flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis was also hit, with three sailors sustaining minor injuries.
- A seaman on a Panamanian-flagged vessel was killed in an attack by Russian UAVs.
- Two sailors were injured, one of them seriously.
- A vessel flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis was struck; three people were injured.
- Russia is waging a war against freedom of navigation and international trade.
Details of the attack on civilian vessels in the Black Sea
A crew member of a Panamanian-flagged vessel was killed as a result of an attack by Russian unmanned aerial vehicles on merchant ships in the Black Sea. Two other seafarers from the same vessel were injured, one of whom is in a serious condition. In addition, a vessel flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis was also hit, with three crew members sustaining minor injuries. This was reported reports Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba on the official Telegram channel.
This attack is yet further evidence that Russia is waging an active war against freedom of navigation, international trade and global food security. Civilian crews, merchant vessels and maritime infrastructure – which ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and the export of agricultural produce – have been targeted.
International assessment and implications
Russia’s actions must be clearly classified internationally as terrorism. The world cannot become accustomed to civilian seafarers being targeted by military aggression. Further escalation of tensions in the Black Sea poses a threat to the safety of maritime navigation and the stability of the region.
