Two Ukrainian sailors released from pirate captivity

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that on December 25, nine sailors captured by pirates were released from captivity, including two citizens of Ukraine.

This was reported by the Department of Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The incident occurred on the LPG tanker CGAS Saturn on December 3. Then the pirates attacked the vessel in the territorial waters of Equatorial Guinea and kidnapped 9 crew members, including two Ukrainians.

“Thanks to the active efforts of the shipowner and his representatives, as well as the direct assistance of colleagues from the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Senegal, on December 25, 2025, nine sailors captured by pirates were released from captivity. Among them are two citizens of Ukraine,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted.

Over the past 10 years, the Gulf of Guinea has witnessed repeated kidnappings of tanker and general cargo crews, including the Nave Constellation, Davide B, Monjasa Reformer, Hana I and Bitu River.

From January to September 2025, the region recorded 15 maritime security incidents, three more than in the same period last year. Ten of these occurred in territorial waters and were classified as armed robberies, while the remaining five were classified as piracy. In the first nine months of this year alone, 14 crew members were kidnapped.

We previously reported that pirates attacked a tanker off Africa, leaving one of the sailors with a gunshot wound.