Russian Drones Attacked Civilian Vessels Flying Flags of Panama and San Marino

Russian kamikaze drones have targeted foreign civilian vessels transporting agricultural products.

This was reported by Oleksiy Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine, Minister of Community and Territorial Development.

According to him, the Panamanian-flagged vessel was waiting to enter the port of Chornomorsk to load oil.

The sailor was promptly evacuated to the port of Odesa by the Ukrainian Navy, where he received the necessary medical care.

The impact caused a fire on board the vessel, the extent of which is not specified. Marine rescue services promptly arrived at the scene to eliminate the consequences of the attack.

At the same time, the vessel flying the flag of San Marino was leaving the port with a cargo of corn at the time of the attack. There were no casualties, and the vessel continued to move on its own.

The names of both attacked vessels have not been disclosed.

This is the second attack by Russian attack drones on civilian vessels operating within the Grain Corridor.

The previous attacks took place on January 9. A civilian vessel flying the flag of the Comoros carrying soybeans was hit near the port of Odesa. The attack killed one of the crew members, a Syrian citizen.

On the same day, a Russian drone hit a civilian vessel flying the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis, which was heading to the port of Chornomorsk to load grain.

During this attack, the second mate was injured.

A similar attack took place on New Year’s Eve, on December 30. Russian drones again struck two civilian vessels flying the Panamanian flag.

The attack targeted the bulk carriers Emmakris III and Captain Karam, the latter of which was entering the port to load grain at the time of the attack.