In the Black Sea on the night of 23 September, a Russian strike drone attacked a civilian vessel that was sailing after departing one of Ukraine’s ports. As a result of the attack, the ship’s captain was killed.
This was reported by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
The Maritime Guard received information about the vessel being hit during the night. Border guard boats were promptly dispatched to the area to carry out a search-and-rescue operation.
When rescuers reached the vessel, a fire was already under way. The flames damaged part of the superstructure, and the work was complicated by heavy smoke and high temperatures. In addition, the threat of a repeat attack remained.
Despite the dangerous conditions, border guards began evacuating the crew. As a result of the operation, 15 people were taken off the vessel.
Due to heavy smoke and high temperatures, it was not possible to recover the body of the deceased captain at the time of the main evacuation.
The rescued crew members were taken to the nearest safe port, where they were examined by medics.
- On 17 September, a Russian drone attacked a vessel flying the Tanzanian flag, which was heading to one of Ukraine’s ports on 17 September. As a result of the strike, the ship’s captain was killed. Three other crew members were injured.