Ukraine appeals to IMO over Russia’s massive attacks on civilian vessels
21.08.2026 - 12:49
Ukraine has appealed to the International Maritime Organization due to the sharp deterioration in shipping safety in the Black Sea.
This was reported by the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Mykola Kalashnyk.
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, in July and the first half of August alone, Russia attacked 52 civilian vessels. At the request of Ukraine, the IMO Secretariat distributed a corresponding appeal to all member states of the organization, as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations that have consultative status with the IMO.
The ministry noted that the Russian attacks led to the death and injury of crew members, damage to vessels and increased risks for merchant shipping.
Among the attacked vessels, the department named AIDA, ATLAS BEY, AROSA, GOLDEN LEO, EMIL and MERA QUEEN.
In particular, on July 19, while leaving the port of Chornomorsk, the GOLDEN LEO was attacked, which was transporting over 6 thousand tons of corn. Nine crew members and a pilot were killed, and two more sailors were injured. The ship sank on July 26.
On August 5, the EMIL, carrying 173,000 tons of iron ore from the port of Pivdennyi, was attacked again. On the same day, the MERA QUEEN, which was sailing from Odesa along the Ukrainian Maritime Corridor, was attacked.
According to the Ministry of Reconstruction, 1,090 port infrastructure facilities and 262 merchant ships have been damaged or partially destroyed since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. 329 civilians were killed or injured as a result of the attacks.
The ministry stressed that further escalation jeopardizes the operation of the Ukrainian Maritime Corridor and the possibility of safe entry of ships to Ukrainian ports.
