Ukrainian sailors freed from pirate captivity in Senegal

The incident occurred on December 3, 2025, when pirates attacked a Portuguese-flagged vessel in the territorial waters of Equatorial Guinea.

The Consular Service Department reported that all nine crew members, including the two Ukrainians, were taken hostage. The incident drew the attention of the international community and Ukrainian diplomats, who immediately began coordinating efforts to secure the sailors’ release. Since then, the shipowner, together with representatives of the Ukrainian Embassy in Senegal, actively worked to ensure the safe return of the crew.

On December 25, 2025, the hostages were released, thanks to the coordinated actions of the shipowner, his representatives, and the staff of the Ukrainian Embassy in Senegal.

Ukrainian diplomats emphasized that the successful return of the sailors was made possible through prompt communication and international support.

The sailors were immediately handed over to medical personnel for examination, and their condition is currently reported as satisfactory. All are returning home, where their families and loved ones are waiting.

Pirate attacks

In March 2024, the Indian Navy handed over 35 captured Somali pirates to the Mumbai police. These individuals will be the first to be prosecuted under India’s anti-piracy law, adopted in 2022.

Earlier, the Indian Navy, with the participation of special forces, rescued a cargo ship from Somali pirates and saved 17 crew members.

The UN has previously stressed the need for heightened readiness for pirate attacks off the African coast, as recent ship seizures raise concerns that vessels navigating around the Red Sea and the Suez Canal could lead to an increase in such incidents.