The Russian Federation attacked the search and rescue tug “Sapphire” in the port of Odessa region. PHOTO REPORT

Russia has once again attacked civilian shipping in the Odessa region , damaging a search and rescue tugboat.

This was reported by the Ministry of Reconstruction, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine, Censor.NET reports .

What is known

It is noted that as a result of an attack by Russian UAVs in one of the ports of the Odessa region, the maritime search and rescue tug “Sapphire” was damaged. The vessel had clear markings in accordance with the requirements of international maritime conventions.

According to preliminary information, no people were injured.

“The particular cynicism lies in the fact that the attack was made on a civilian SAR (Search and Rescue) vessel, which performs exclusively civilian functions,” the ministry added.

Also read: Russians attacked a civilian tugboat in the Odessa region: two Azerbaijani citizens died, two more were hospitalized

Threat to the security of international shipping

It is emphasized that this is another gross violation by Russia of the norms of international humanitarian and maritime law. Civilian vessels, port infrastructure and rescue services cannot be legitimate military targets.

“Such attacks are not ‘collateral damage’ or an accident. These are systemic attacks that pose a direct threat to the lives of sailors, rescuers, and port workers, as well as to the safety of international shipping… Russia must be clearly condemned for its systematic attacks on civilian shipping and port infrastructure in Ukraine. Such crimes cannot go unanswered,” the statement said.

Close-up of a red search and rescue boat with visible damage and a lifeboat on the deck.

It is also reported that Ukraine is recording all the circumstances and evidence of this crime and will inform the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and international partners and demand an appropriate response.