Russia has attacked two civilian vessels with drones in the Odesa region, killing a Syrian national, Ukrainian officials said on Friday.
Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for restoration and minister for communities and territories development Oleksii Kuleba said in a statement that a Russian drone struck a foreign civilian vessel en route to Chornomorsk port while a second vessel was hit near Odesa.
According to MarineTraffic data, the vessel is a general cargo and is sailing under the flag of St Kitts Nevis.
“While sailing toward the port of Chornomorsk, a Russian attack drone struck a civilian vessel sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis, which was heading to be loaded with grain under the Ukrainian maritime corridor. Unfortunately, one crew member, a Syrian citizen, died as a result of the attack. This is a horrific war crime!!” the statement reads.
According to Kuleba, the vessel remains seaworthy – it is underway and is heading to the nearest port.
Another vessel was also hit near the port of Odesa. The ship, sailing under the flag of the Comoros, was transporting soybeans, Kuleba said, adding that rescue units have been dispatched to the scene.
According to MarineTraffic, a ship tracking website, the ship is a bulk carrier and is sailing under the flag of Comoros.
The attacks resulted in the death of a crew member – Syrian national, with a preliminary information indicating that there could be additional casualties.
Kuleba stressed that these are deliberate actions by Russia, which is striking civilian infrastructure, international shipping, and food logistics. Ukraine, for its part, he said, is doing everything possible to guarantee safety and fulfill its export obligations, despite constant attacks.
