[95038] Russian UAV attack in the Black Sea: civilian ship hit, crew member killed

Deadly attack on cargo ships in the Black Sea

During the night of June 22, 2026, the Russian military carried out an extensive UAV attack against civilian merchant vessels making their way to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. According to reports from Оперативний ЗСУ and ТСН новини, the ship "VICTRESS," sailing under the Panamanian flag and Turkish-owned, sustained a direct hit that led to a large-scale fire. The ship's cook, a 58-year-old Egyptian citizen, was killed in the incident, and the remaining eight crew members were evacuated by Ukrainian Navy ships.

Alongside the strike on the VICTRESS, officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba according to Українська правда, reported that Russian forces also attacked ships under the flags of Palau and Belize. While these ships sustained damage, their crews were unharmed and they continued on their way. Цензор.НЕТ emphasized that the Ukrainian Navy's rescue operation was carried out under extremely high-risk conditions.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded sharply to the event and noted, as reported in Ми Україна, that the attack is a "clear example that Russia's word cannot be trusted," especially given the fact that it occurred in close proximity to a visit by senior Turkish officials to Moscow. He called on the international community and the International Maritime Organization to respond decisively to the blatant violation of maritime law.

Sources identified with security and Ukrainian entities, such as SPRAVDI, noted that Russia continues to demonstrate disregard for international maritime security. The incident illustrates the growing tension in maritime trade routes in the Odesa region, as the Russian strikes are perceived as an attempt to undermine the economic and security stability of Ukraine and its partners.