Russia targets rescue ships in Black Sea, injuring personnel
Evacuation underway after Russian strike on civilian rescue vessels (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Russian forces attacked two civilian search-and-rescue vessels on June 6, while they were carrying out a humanitarian mission in the Black Sea. The strike left several people injured, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration Oleksiy Kuleba reports.
"The enemy struck two vessels of the Maritime Search and Rescue Service that were carrying out a humanitarian mission within Ukraine's maritime corridor," he wrote in his statement.
According to preliminary information, there were injuries as a result of the attack. An evacuation operation involving Ukrainian Navy boats is currently underway.
Russia attacked two civilian search-and-rescue vessels in the Black Sea on June 6 (photo: https://t.me/OleksiiKuleba/8903)
Kuleba emphasized that under international humanitarian law, small coastal search-and-rescue vessels are granted special protection. Despite this, Russia attacked the vessels, violating international legal norms.
"This assault is further evidence of Russia's deliberate disregard for international law and its creation of a direct threat to the safe operation of humanitarian maritime corridors in the Black Sea," he concluded.
Other incidents
This was not the first time Russia has attacked civilian vessels. On January 12, Russian forces also targeted civilian ships operating in the waters near Ukrainian ports. A Russian drone struck a tanker flying the Panamanian flag that was waiting to enter a port to load vegetable oil.
The media also reported that on the night of May 29, Russia deliberately attacked a vessel traveling from a port in Ukraine's Odesa region to Türkiye. Several crew members were injured in the strike.
