Ukrainian navy: Russian strike hits Chinese merchant ship

Russian forces struck a Chinese merchant vessel in Ukrainian territorial waters overnight on May 18, according to the Ukrainian Navy.

Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, said in a Facebook post that the ship was hit during a missile strike involving a “Shahid” drone or missile system. He did not specify the exact location of the incident, Caliber.Az reports.

“I wonder what motivated the Russians when they decided to strike a Chinese merchant ship in our waters with a ‘Shahid’ missile last night. There were no casualties, but this is something new. ‘A monstrous mistake has been made,’ comrades?” the Navy spokesperson noted.

Authorities have not provided further details about the vessel or the extent of any damage.

By Sabina Mammadli