KYIV: Ukrainian drones sank a Russian-owned container ship in the Black Sea early on Saturday, forcing its 17-member crew to abandon the vessel after it was struck near the Russian port of Novorossiysk, the ship’s owner said.
Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom said at least two Ukrainian drones hit the cargo vessel Yanina while it was sailing near the port.
The vessel, operated by Rosatom’s shipping subsidiary FESCO, was carrying civilian cargo, including frozen food and construction materials, the company said.
Rosatom said there was no indication that the ship was transporting nuclear material or carrying out activities related to the company’s nuclear operations.
Crew Rescued
“The ship’s crew abandoned the ship in an organised and coordinated manner after it began to sink. All 17 crew members have been rescued and are in good condition,” Rosatom said in a statement posted on Telegram.
Rosatom Chief Executive Alexey Likhachev condemned the attack.
“Such an attack cannot be interpreted as anything other than piracy and robbery at sea,” he said.
Black Sea Conflict
Ukraine did not immediately comment on the incident.
The Russo-Ukrainian conflict began in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea following Ukraine’s pro-Western revolution and backed separatist movements in the eastern Donbas region. Years of intermittent fighting followed despite several ceasefire agreements.
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, triggering Europe’s largest armed conflict since World War II. Moscow sought a swift victory, but Ukrainian forces mounted strong resistance, preventing Russia from capturing Kyiv and forcing its troops to withdraw from northern Ukraine.
The war has since evolved into a prolonged conflict marked by trench warfare, missile and drone attacks, and fierce battles across eastern and southern Ukraine.
Russia has occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, while Ukraine has launched counteroffensives and increasingly targeted military and economic infrastructure deep inside Russian territory.
As the war enters its fifth year, both sides have intensified long-range missile and drone strikes, expanded military mobilisation and strengthened international partnerships.
Russia continues to press its offensive in eastern Ukraine, while Kyiv relies on Western military assistance to defend its territory and maintain pressure on Russian forces. The conflict remains highly volatile, with no comprehensive peace agreement in sight.
