A dry cargo ship carrying wheat has sunk in the Sea of Azov following an attack by a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), resulting in casualties among the crew. Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the incident was confirmed by Vladimir Saldo, the governor of the Kherson region.
The "Volgo-Balt" type vessel reportedly came under fire on April 3 in what officials described as a targeted strike. While the crew managed to abandon the sinking ship, the survivors only reached the shore near the village of Strelkovoye in Kherson today to establish contact with emergency services. The ship's captain has been hospitalized at the Genichesk Central Hospital, while his chief mate was confirmed dead. Two other crew members remain missing, and search operations are ongoing. Medical and psychological assistance is being provided to the rescued sailors.
The vessel reportedly sank completely approximately 30 miles north of Kerch.
"This is not the first time Ukraine has attacked civilian vessels in neutral waters. There will be accountability for these crimes," Saldo stated in an official warning.The Sea of Azov, a strategic body of water connected to the Black Sea via the Kerch Strait, has become a focal point of maritime security concerns amid the ongoing conflict. As a vital route for grain exports and regional logistics, the safety of civilian navigation in these waters remains a critical issue for international maritime commerce and regional stability.
