Russian Drone Attacks Hit Two Foreign-Flagged Vessels In Odesa Region, One Seafarer Killed

Russian drones struck two foreign-flagged civilian cargo vessels near Ukraine’s Black Sea ports in the Odesa region, killing a Syrian seafarer and injuring another crew member, Ukrainian officials said on Friday.

The attacks targeted ships operating close to Ukraine’s maritime export routes, increasing concerns over the safety of international shipping in the Black Sea.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration, Oleksii Kuleba, said one drone hit a Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged cargo vessel that was sailing through Ukraine’s maritime export corridor towards the port of Chornomorsk to load grain.

He said the ship remained seaworthy after the strike and continued sailing towards the nearest port, though casualties were reported among the crew.

A second drone attack struck another civilian vessel near the port of Odesa. The ship was sailing under the flag of the Comoros Islands and was carrying soybeans at the time.

Odesa region governor Oleh Kiper later said the ship’s second assistant to the captain was wounded and was receiving medical treatment.

Kuleba said rescue and emergency teams were sent to assist both vessels after the attacks. He added that the strikes showed civilian shipping, international trade and food supply chains were being targeted.

Photos shared by Ukrainian officials showed the vessels named Wael K and Ladonna. According to ship-tracking data, Wael K is a 115-metre general cargo ship registered in Saint Kitts and Nevis, while Ladonna is a 157-metre bulk carrier sailing under the Comoros flag.

Ukraine’s deep-water ports in the Odesa region play a key role in the country’s export-driven economy, especially for agricultural products.

Ukraine’s seaport authority has said Russian attacks on ports in the region have risen sharply, with 96 strikes recorded in 2025, nearly three times more than the previous year.

Ukrainian officials have linked the recent increase in attacks to Russia’s response to strikes on vessels believed to be part of its so-called “shadow fleet” used to export oil.

References: Reuters, USA Today

Source: Maritime Shipping News