Russian drone attack kills sailor, injures five on Black Sea

A Russian drone attack on civilian shipping in the Black Sea killed one sailor and wounded five others on Thursday, Ukrainian officials reported Friday, marking a deadly escalation of maritime strikes that threaten a vital global trade corridor. The attack struck two foreign-flagged vessels sailing from Ukrainian ports.

According to Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction Oleksiy Kuleba, one drone hit a Panama-flagged vessel, killing a crew member and injuring two others, with one of the wounded reported in critical condition. A second vessel sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis was also struck, injuring three crew members. The nationalities of the sailors were not disclosed. The governor of Odesa region, Oleh Kiper, said the ships later resumed their journeys.

Kuleba condemned the strike as further proof that Russia is waging war against freedom of navigation, international trade, and global food security. He stated that civilian crews, merchant vessels, and maritime infrastructure supporting humanitarian and export routes remain under attack and warned the international community against becoming accustomed to such targeting.

The maritime assault occurred amid a...