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Zelenskyy Says Russia Knew Its Target as Photos Reveal Struck Chinese Cargo Ship
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
A Russian strike drone hit a Chinese-owned cargo vessel in the Black Sea near Ukraine’s Odesa region, Ukraine’s Navy reported, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later saying Moscow “could not have failed to know” what ship it was targeting.
According to the Ukrainian Navy, on May 18, the enemy UAV struck the bulk carrier KSL DEYANG, which was at sea near Odesa.
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The vessel sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands, while its owner is based in China. The crew on board consists of Chinese citizens.
Ukraine’s Navy said the attack shows that Russia’s strikes are no longer a threat only to Ukraine, but also to vessels linked to Moscow’s closest partners when they operate in the Black Sea.
Zelenskyy reacted to the attack as part of a broader statement on Russia’s latest overnight strikes across Ukraine.
“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 said.
The Ukrainian president added that Russia attacked Dnipro and the surrounding region for more than six hours overnight, damaging an apartment building and other civilian infrastructure. Energy facilities and residential areas were also targeted.
According to Zelenskyy, damage was recorded across eight Ukrainian regions, with dozens of people injured nationwide, including children.
He also said Russia continues to rely on ballistic missiles to attack civilians, arguing that Europe must develop stronger protection against such threats.
“Russia relies on ballistic missiles to strike people, and that is why we in Europe must do everything to ensure reliable protection against this. Europe must have its own anti-ballistic systems and be self-sufficient against these threats,” Zelenskyy said.
The president again urged Ukraine’s partners to accelerate air defense support.
“We repeat once again: we need our own anti-ballistic capabilities and the strengthening of Ukrainian air defense right now. This week is about working with partners to strengthen the protection of lives,” he added.
Russia is now importing more than 90% of its sanctioned technology through China, a sign of Moscow’s increasing reliance on Beijing to sustain its war effort in Ukraine.
This is not the first case of a deliberate Russian attack on a civilian vessel near Odesa. Earlier, a civilian bulk carrier flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis was struck by two Russian drones while navigating the Ukrainian maritime corridor en route to a port in Greater Odesa.
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