Russia Hits Turkish Cargo Ship With Drone Near Odesa

Russian forces launched a drone attack on a Turkish dry cargo ship during the night of May 29 after it departed from a port in Ukraine’s Odesa region.

According to the Ukrainian Navy, the drone struck the ship’s superstructure, causing a fire and injuring several crew members.

According to the Ukrainian military, the vessel involved was the cargo ship ANT, sailing under the flag of Vanuatu and owned by a Turkish company. The ship was heading to a Turkish port carrying cargo on board.

“Two injured crew members were promptly evacuated by boats of the Ukrainian Navy and transported to a medical facility,” the statement said.

The fire aboard the vessel was quickly brought under control thanks to the rapid response of the Ukrainian Navy and the Maritime Search and Rescue Service.

On May 24, Russian forces also attacked a civilian cargo ship flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis as it was heading to a port in the Odesa agglomeration to load grain.

Two drones hit the bulk carrier, sparking a fire on board that was later extinguished by the crew.

Another attack on a civilian ship, this time sailing under the Liberian flag, took place on April 14 as it was heading toward a port in Odesa.