Russian drone operators strike humanitarian vessel having nothing to do with participation in the war in Ukraine.
Russia has struck two boats belonging to Ukraine’s Maritime Search and Rescue Service, according to Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Reconstruction Oleksii Kuleba. “The enemy struck two vessels of the Maritime Search and Rescue Service, which were carrying out a humanitarian mission within the Ukrainian maritime corridor,” Kuleba said. “Unfortunately, there are injured. Evacuation by Ukrainian Navy boats is ongoing.” The statement was also shared on Ukrainian Naval Forces social media channels.
Ukraine’s Navy emphasized that both vessels had proper SAR (Search and Rescue) markings and coloring in line with international law. “Search and rescue vessels have special protection under international humanitarian law. In particular, Article 27 of the Second Geneva Convention of 1949 directly provides protection for vessels used by a state or officially recognized rescue organizations exclusively for search and rescue operations and providing assistance to people at sea,” the Navy stated. Both Kuleba and the Navy called the attack proof of Russia’s deliberate disregard for international norms and a direct threat to humanitarian maritime corridors in the Black Sea.
No details have been released regarding the exact circumstances of the attack, the type of weaponry used, or the precise number of people injured.