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Deadly Drone Strikes Hit Grain Vessels in Sea of Azov, Officials Say
(MENAFN) A drone attack targeting grain-carrying vessels in the Sea of Azov has reportedly left five people dead and several others injured, including Azerbaijani nationals, according to official statements and reports.
According to reports, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that five of its citizens were killed and three others injured during strikes on ships operating in the area. The vessels, identified as the Belize-flagged Natra and the Palau-flagged Zirkon, were traveling from Türkiye toward the Russian port of Rostov-on-Don when they were struck by drones early Friday morning, as stated by Russian authorities.
Russian officials said the attacks resulted in both fatalities and injuries and noted that nearby Russian maritime and border guard units assisted in rescue efforts. The ministry also accused Ukrainian forces of deliberately targeting civilian maritime infrastructure, describing the incident as further evidence of escalatory tactics.
Footage circulating online is said to show the aftermath of one of the strikes, with significant damage visible on the deck and the ship’s command area heavily destroyed.
A senior Ukrainian drone commander later acknowledged the operation, claiming that Ukrainian unmanned systems had targeted multiple vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight. He alleged that the ships were transporting fuel and military supplies and accused them of being involved in the movement of Ukrainian grain.
Earlier incidents have also seen commercial shipping in the region targeted during the ongoing conflict, including a reported sinking of a cargo vessel following a drone strike in April that resulted in at least one fatality.
Russian authorities have repeatedly condemned such attacks, characterizing them as deliberate strikes on civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, have significantly expanded long-range drone operations in recent months, with both sides continuing to exchange accusations over the targeting of non-military sites.
According to reports, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that five of its citizens were killed and three others injured during strikes on ships operating in the area. The vessels, identified as the Belize-flagged Natra and the Palau-flagged Zirkon, were traveling from Türkiye toward the Russian port of Rostov-on-Don when they were struck by drones early Friday morning, as stated by Russian authorities.
Russian officials said the attacks resulted in both fatalities and injuries and noted that nearby Russian maritime and border guard units assisted in rescue efforts. The ministry also accused Ukrainian forces of deliberately targeting civilian maritime infrastructure, describing the incident as further evidence of escalatory tactics.
Footage circulating online is said to show the aftermath of one of the strikes, with significant damage visible on the deck and the ship’s command area heavily destroyed.
A senior Ukrainian drone commander later acknowledged the operation, claiming that Ukrainian unmanned systems had targeted multiple vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight. He alleged that the ships were transporting fuel and military supplies and accused them of being involved in the movement of Ukrainian grain.
Earlier incidents have also seen commercial shipping in the region targeted during the ongoing conflict, including a reported sinking of a cargo vessel following a drone strike in April that resulted in at least one fatality.
Russian authorities have repeatedly condemned such attacks, characterizing them as deliberate strikes on civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, have significantly expanded long-range drone operations in recent months, with both sides continuing to exchange accusations over the targeting of non-military sites.
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