Russia attacked ship as it left the Danube estuary: search and rescue operation underway

While leaving the mouth of the Danube on July 25, the Russian drone “Shahed” hit a cargo ship under the flag of Palau, which was heading from a Ukrainian port to Greece.

This was reported by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. 

There were nine crew members and a pilot on board. After the first strike, the Russians attacked the ship again – a powerful explosion caused a large-scale fire.

“Sailors of the Maritime Guard of the State Border Guard Service promptly responded to the distress signal and evacuated eight people from the burning ship. All were taken to a safe place, doctors are monitoring their condition. The search and rescue operation for two crew members, who ended up in the water after the first explosion, is ongoing,” the State Border Guard Service reported.

Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesman for the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces, noted on the air of the “United News” telethon that the attack took place on July 25. The ship was carrying almost 2.8 thousand tons of corn.

As of July 26, there was no official information about the fate of the two missing sailors.

According to the spokesman, Russian forces attacked the civilian ship twice. After the first strike, it continued moving, but after the second, a fire broke out on board.

“This is a grain carrier. They hit it twice. The first time they did not achieve the result – the ship moved on. But the second time, a fire still broke out. Despite the fact that the ship is owned by a Turkish company, Russia continues to attack civilian shipping,” Pletenchuk said.