Ukrainian border guards rescue sailor who was stranded at sea after Russian attack (video)
20.07.2026 - 09:21
The servicemen of the Maritime Guard of the State Border Service of Ukraine conducted a successful search and rescue operation in the Black Sea.
On the night of July 18-19, border guards rescued a crew member of the dry cargo ship “Venturo”, which was attacked by a Russian drone the day before, the State Border Service of Ukraine reported.
As a reminder, on the evening of July 17, the Venturo vessel was hit by a Russian strike drone. Most of the crew members were evacuated by the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that same day. At the same time, one of the sailors remained in a drifting lifeboat in the open sea.
On the evening of July 18, border guards of the 26th border detachment, using technical surveillance equipment, discovered a small-sized vessel in the Black Sea. A small boat of the Maritime Guard of the State Border Service of Ukraine immediately set off to conduct a search and rescue operation. Border guards successfully evacuated the ship’s electromechanic, a citizen of the Philippines.
The operation was carried out in extremely difficult conditions: in complete darkness and under the constant threat of repeated strikes by remotely controlled Russian drones. Despite the high level of danger, the personnel of the Maritime Guard of the State Border Guard Service successfully completed the task and delivered the rescued person to a safe place.
The sailor was in satisfactory condition and did not require medical assistance.
