russian forces have attacked civilian merchant vessels with strike drones in Ukraine's Odesa region, injuring civilians and once again highlighting the risks facing commercial shipping in the Black Sea. The incident was confirmed by the Ukrainian Navy on December 30.
The attack occurred on December 30 and targeted two civilian vessels, Emmakris III and Captain Karam. Both ships were sailing under the flag of Panama and were operating as part of civilian maritime traffic.
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At the time of the strike, the Captain Karam bulk carrier was entering port to load a cargo of wheat. The presence of the vessel in a commercial port area underscores that the attack took place against non-military targets engaged in routine trade operations.
As a result of the drone strikes, civilians aboard the ships were wounded. Ukrainian authorities emphasized that no military equipment or personnel were involved, and the vessels were operating in accordance with international maritime norms.
The Ukrainian Navy stressed that ports and civilian shipping constitute civilian infrastructure under international humanitarian law. Attacks against such targets, they noted, pose a direct threat to the lives of peaceful civilians working at sea and in port facilities.
Beyond the immediate human impact, the Navy warned that strikes on commercial shipping undermine global food security. Disruptions to grain exports from Ukrainian ports have far-reaching consequences for international markets, particularly for regions dependent on Ukrainian agricultural supplies.
Ukrainian officials also reiterated that deliberate attacks on civilian objects are classified as war crimes under international law. The use of strike drones against merchant vessels, they argue, represents a clear violation of these legal principles.
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