War at sea: Russian occupants seize three vessels and damage four more – prosecutor’s office

Since February 24, Russian occupants have damaged four civilian ships and three more vessels have been seized by Russian troops. This was stated by the head of the Odesa regional prosecutor’s office, Ihor Domuschey, at a briefing at the Ukraine-Odesa Media Center.

“The pre-trial investigation into the missile attack on November 8 this year on the civilian ship KMAX RULER flying the Liberian flag is ongoing. A Ukrainian pilot was killed and three Filipino sailors were injured while it was moored in the Pivdennyi port as a result of the attack,” the prosecutor said.

On February 25, 2022, two civilian vessels were damaged by Russian shelling in the Black Sea: “The Panamanian-flagged Namura Queen, which was anchored at the Pivdennyi port, and the Moldovan-flagged MILLENNLAL SPIRIT, which was 12 miles away from the port. Ten people were injured. 

In March 2022, the enemy launched a missile attack and hit the Panamanian-flagged HELT vessel in the Black Sea, which was on a roadstead at a distance of 12 miles from Odesa. The vessel was damaged, and 6 crew members suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning and hypothermia, who were rescued and taken to a medical facility.

“In addition, criminal proceedings have been opened against the seized Ukrainian ships. On March 26, 2022, Russian invaders seized the Sapphire rescue vessel near Zmeinyi Island. There are also cases concerning the Athena tanker, which was sailing to a Ukrainian port with cargo, and the Princess Nicole bulk carrier,” summarized Igor Domuschey.

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