Russian Strike Hits Panama-Flagged Vessel Near Odesa, Third Civilian Ship Damaged in One Day

A Russian strike damaged a Panama-flagged civilian cargo ship on approach to Chornomorsk port on the morning of May 18, the third commercial vessel hit in Russian attacks off Odesa in a single day.

The incident was reported by Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, on his official Telegram channel.

According to Kiper, the vessel was struck while moving through the Ukrainian maritime corridor en route to Chornomorsk. The ship sustained damage, and a fire broke out on board, which the crew extinguished without outside assistance. No casualties were reported, and the vessel continued on its route despite the attack.

"Another attack on civilian shipping," Kiper wrote, describing the strike as "already the third civilian vessel damaged as a result of today's enemy attacks."

Hours earlier on the same day, a Russian strike drone hit the bulk carrier KSL DEYANG, a Chinese-owned vessel sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, in the Black Sea near the Odesa region.

Ukraine's Navy confirmed the strike and indicated that the ship was operated by a Chinese crew. The Navy emphasized that Russian attacks now threaten not only Ukraine but also vessels linked to Moscow's closest partners operating in the Black Sea.

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The second vessel has not been publicly identified by name. It is known, however, that the ship was sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau when it was struck while heading toward a Ukrainian port.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the maritime strikes as part of a broader statement on Russia's overnight attacks across the country.

"There were drone hits in Odesa, and one of the drones struck a vessel belonging to China. The Russians could not have failed to know what ship was at sea," Zelenskyy stated.

The president renewed his call for accelerated air defense support and emphasized that Europe must develop its own anti-ballistic capabilities.

"Russia relies on ballistic missiles to strike people, and that is why we in Europe must do everything to ensure reliable protection against this," Zelenskyy declared. "Europe must have its own anti-ballistic systems and be self-sufficient against these threats."

Earlier, a civilian bulk carrier flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis was hit by two Russian drones while transiting the Ukrainian maritime corridor toward a port in Greater Odesa.

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