Russian attack drones attacked the EMIL cargo ship in the Black Sea near Odesa. The vessel sails under the Liberian flag and is linked to a German shipping company. The ship’s crew was evacuated, UNN reports, citing BILD and German broadcaster NDR.
Details
According to media reports, the attack occurred on the evening of August 5, approximately 21 nautical miles, or about 39 kilometers, from Odesa.
The vessel was hit several times by drones. The superstructure, living quarters, and the bridge area were damaged. A fire broke out on board, some technical systems failed, and the vessel lost propulsion and the ability to maneuver independently.
There were 11 crew members on board. According to available information, there were no German citizens among them. Ukrainian services evacuated the sailors; there is no information about casualties.
During the evacuation, Russian forces may have carried out another strike on the vessel. The exact number of hits has not yet been officially confirmed.
What is known about the EMIL cargo ship
EMIL sails under the Liberian flag but is linked to the Hamburg-based shipping company Johann M. K. Blumenthal GmbH & Co. KG. Therefore, German media refer to it as a German vessel.
It is a large Capesize-class bulk carrier built in 2012. It is approximately 292 meters long and 45 meters wide, with a deadweight of more than 175,000 tonnes.
According to the specialized publication The Maritime Executive, the vessel was sailing from China. Information about the cargo on board is currently unavailable.
Attack on foreign cargo ships: what the Russian side says
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Russian drones allegedly attacked two bulk carriers transporting military-related cargoes for the benefit of Ukraine. At the same time, the Russian side provided no evidence that the EMIL was carrying military cargo.
Context
On the same day, Russian drones attacked another civilian vessel, MERA QUEEN, which was carrying Ukrainian wheat. As a result of the strike, a Ukrainian sailor was killed and three other crew members were injured.
The vessel’s hull was damaged and a fire broke out on board. The rest of the crew was evacuated. According to preliminary data, the vessel was brought to a berth for stabilization work.
The attacks took place amid an intensification of Russian strikes on Ukraine’s port infrastructure and civilian shipping in the Black Sea.
Reminder
Russia attacked a foreign merchant bulk carrier carrying Ukrainian wheat in the Black Sea; a Ukrainian sailor was killed and three others were injured.