Russian strikes on ships near Odessa: three people killed, Azerbaijani captain reported missing

Two foreign vessels heading to Ukrainian ports came under Russian strikes off the coast of Odessa.

According to Odessa Regional Military Administration head Oleh Kiper, posting on Facebook, at least three people were killed in the attacks and several crew members were wounded.

The first to be struck were two dry cargo ships sailing under the flags of Tanzania and Liberia. The captain of one of them was killed, three crew members were wounded, and another 11 sailors were evacuated ashore. Russia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that it had struck both cargo ships near the port of Odessa.

In addition, Kiper reported a strike on port infrastructure: a Russian drone targeted a civilian vessel sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands. Two people were killed in the attack, a fire broke out on board, and the ship’s superstructure was damaged.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry reported that a vessel carrying 11 Azerbaijani nationals was attacked off the coast of Odessa. Most of the crew members were evacuated ashore and their condition is described as satisfactory. The ship’s captain, also an Azerbaijani national, is reported missing — a search operation is ongoing. The Azerbaijani side did not specify which vessel was involved.

Ukraine, for its part, did not disclose which specific ships and infrastructure facilities were targeted.

Reports are also coming in of strikes on the port of Yuzhne, where a logistics center, 12 trucks, and a fuel tanker were reportedly hit.

Reuters previously reported that Russia’s strikes on Odessa’s ports threaten to devastate Ukraine’s exports.