Russian cargo ship sinks in Black Sea after drone attack

A cargo vessel owned by Russian shipping company FESCO sank in the Black Sea on the night of August 1 following an attack by Ukrainian maritime drones.

According to Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, the incident occurred approximately 130 nautical miles off the Russian port of Novorossiysk. He said the attack began at around 10:00 p.m. Moscow time, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

Likhachev described the Yanina as a civilian container ship operating in international waters and carrying commercial cargo at the time of the incident.

All 17 crew members were rescued, Russian officials said. Most were picked up by the vessel Delphinus, which sailed to the scene overnight, while the remaining crew member was later located and brought safely ashore. Likhachev also thanked the crew of a Russian Black Sea Fleet helicopter for assisting in the rescue operation.

By Sabina Mammadli