Russian troops attacked the search-and-rescue tug \u00abSapphire\u00bb 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 \u00abSapphire\u00bb 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.<\/p>\n
During the latest attack on the Odesa region, Russian troops struck a search-and-rescue tugboat \u00abSapphire\u00bb<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development emphasised that the vessel was supposed to clear marking in accordance with international maritime conventions<\/strong>, that is to say, its civilian and rescue functions were clearly identified.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u00abThe \u00bbSapphire\u2019 is part of the state\u2019s specialised fleet Maritime Search and Rescue Service<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 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 \u00abSapphire\u00bb is an ice-class diesel-electric tug, over 50 metres long, and capable of operating autonomously at sea for around 20 days.<\/p>\n According to documents from the Ministry of Development, the \u00abSapphire\u00bb is still listed as one of the state fleet\u2019s search and rescue vessels in 2026.<\/p>\n For this vessel, the current attack is not the first incident linked to Russian aggression.<\/p>\n On 26 February 2022, \u00abSapphire\u00bb was performing a humanitarian mission near Zmiinyi Island<\/strong>, where he was heading to evacuate the wounded and fallen Ukrainian defenders.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The crew members were released in March 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange. The tugboat itself was subsequently returned to Ukraine.<\/p>\n In March 2026, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies concluded their investigation into three Russian military personnel accused of the unlawful seizure of the \u00abSapphire\u00bb and the ill-treatment of its civilian crew.<\/p>\n\u00abSapphire\u00bb is designed to rescue people at sea<\/h2>\n
In 2022, the \u00abSapphire\u00bb had already been seized by the Russians<\/h2>\n
In 2026, the case concerning the seizure of the \u00abSapphire\u00bb was referred to court<\/h2>\n