Russian forces in the morning, in the sea near the Odessa region, struck a bulk carrier vessel, KSL DEYANG, using a drone.
“Today in the morning, an enemy strike UAV attacked the bulk carrier ‘KSL DEYANG,’ which was at sea near the Odessa region. The vessel's shipowner is from the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea),” the statement of the Ukrainian Navy said.
The crew consisted of Chinese citizens, while the vessel sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands and is owned by a company from North Korea, according to the press service of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“The Russian Federation once again demonstrates that its attacks pose a threat not only to Ukraine — they now create risks even for its closest partners whose vessels are present in the Black Sea,” the Ukrainian Navy emphasized.
The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority clarified that on May 18, Russian drones attacked two vessels en route to ports in Odessa.
One of the ships was sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, and the other under the flag of Guinea-Bissau.
Both vessels experienced minor fires, which were extinguished by the crews on their own. According to preliminary information, there were no casualties. The ships continued their voyage to their destinations.
