Ukrainian Navy Rescued 17 People From Civilian Vessel Struck by Russians

Crews of Ukrainian Navy boats rescued 17 sailors from the civilian dry cargo ship VENTURO, which had been struck by the Russians.

This was reported by the Ukrainian Navy’s press service.

According to the service, following the Russian strike, the vessel sustained damage and lost propulsion; one of the sailors was killed. According to Oleh Kipper, head of the Odesa Regional State Administration, three others were injured and hospitalized.

As a result of the rescue operation, 17 civilian sailors—citizens of the Philippines—were safely evacuated to shore.

VENTURO is a Supramax-class dry cargo ship designed to transport bulk and loose cargo, with a deadweight capacity of up to 57,000 metric tons.

It is registered under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda and is owned by Ferarry Shipping, a company legally incorporated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Actual commercial and technical management of the vessel is carried out by Just Bulk DMCC, headquartered in Dubai (UAE).

The VENTURO’s primary operating region is the Black and Mediterranean Seas. During its most recent voyage, the vessel was traveling from the Bulgarian port of Varna to the Romanian port of Sulina in the Danube Delta.

After Ukraine launched its campaign of strikes against tankers of the Russian ‘shadow fleet’ in the waters of the Azov and Black Seas, Russia intensified its attacks on Ukrainian maritime infrastructure, using primarily the X-59 and X-69 air-launched tactical cruise missiles, Iskander ballistic missiles, and jet-powered strike UAVs.