Overview
- Russian defence officials said drone strikes hit two merchant ships near Odessa, and a Rutube video released by Moscow shows footage that appears to include the freighter EMIL.
- The bulk carrier EMIL, owned by a Hamburg company but sailing under Liberia's flag, was reportedly struck, suffered fire and technical faults, and had its eleven crew evacuated with no reported injuries.
- Ukrainian authorities and the Odessa governor reported the grain ship Mera Queen, sailing under Guinea‑Bissau's flag, was also hit and that at least one crew member was killed.
- Moscow justified the attacks by alleging the vessels carried military cargo for Ukraine, a claim that independent sources have not yet verified and that is contested in reporting.
- Analysts warn the strikes mark an escalation of attacks on Black Sea shipping that could further disrupt Ukrainian grain exports, complicate legal and diplomatic responses because of flags of convenience, and raise risks for civilian crews.