Russia struck the rescue tug «Sapphire» in the Odesa region

Russian troops attacked the search-and-rescue tug «Sapphire» in the Odesa region. According to the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development, the vessel was clearly marked in accordance with the requirements of international maritime conventions. Preliminary reports indicate that no one was injured as a result of the attack. The «Sapphire» is a civilian rescue vessel belonging to the Maritime Search and Rescue Service, which has previously been targeted by Russian aggression: in February 2022, it was seized off Zmiinyi Island along with its crew.

Russia attacked a civilian rescue vessel

During the latest attack on the Odesa region, Russian troops struck a search-and-rescue tugboat «Sapphire».

The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development emphasised that the vessel was supposed to clear marking in accordance with international maritime conventions, that is to say, its civilian and rescue functions were clearly identified.

According to preliminary reports, no one was injured as a result of the attack. Details of the damage to the vessel and the circumstances of the strike are being clarified.

«Sapphire» is designed to rescue people at sea

«The »Sapphire’ is part of the state’s specialised fleet Maritime Search and Rescue Service.

The vessel is designed for search and rescue operations, emergency towing, firefighting and other tasks on the high seas. The Ministry had previously reported that the «Sapphire» is an ice-class diesel-electric tug, over 50 metres long, and capable of operating autonomously at sea for around 20 days.

According to documents from the Ministry of Development, the «Sapphire» is still listed as one of the state fleet’s search and rescue vessels in 2026.

In 2022, the «Sapphire» had already been seized by the Russians

For this vessel, the current attack is not the first incident linked to Russian aggression.

On 26 February 2022, «Sapphire» was performing a humanitarian mission near Zmiinyi Island, where he was heading to evacuate the wounded and fallen Ukrainian defenders.

Russian warships seized the vessel along with its civilian crew. There were 21 civilians on board, including a doctor and clergymen. The crew were held captive and the vessel was forcibly moved.

The crew members were released in March 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange. The tugboat itself was subsequently returned to Ukraine.

In 2026, the case concerning the seizure of the «Sapphire» was referred to court

In March 2026, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies concluded their investigation into three Russian military personnel accused of the unlawful seizure of the «Sapphire» and the ill-treatment of its civilian crew.

Among those charged is a former chief of staff Russian Federation’s Black Sea Fleet, the commander of a Russian reconnaissance vessel and the commander of a rescue and tugboat. They are charged with breaching the laws and customs of war.

Thus, four years after it was seized near Zmiinyi, the «Sapphire» once again became a target for Russia — this time during the attack on the Odesa region itself.

Russia is systematically attacking civilian shipping

Attacks on civilian and rescue vessels are taking place against a backdrop of regular Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports and maritime logistics.

In 2026 alone, Russia launched repeated attacks civilian vessels in the Ukrainian maritime corridor. In June, there were reports of attacks on two search-and-rescue vessels at the same time, and at the end of May, on a Turkish vessel that was sailing from a port in the Odesa region.

The Ukrainian authorities emphasise that such attacks pose a threat not only to crews, but also to international merchant shipping and security in the Black Sea.

In the case of «Sapphire», an additional factor is its clear emergency markings, which was intended to clearly indicate the civilian nature of the vessel.