German-Owned Cargo Ship Attacked by Russian Drones in the Black Sea, Bild Reports

A German-owned cargo vessel was disabled in the Black Sea off the coast of Odesa after being hit by multiple Russian drones, German publication Bild reported on August 7.

The assault on the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier EMIL coincided with an intensification of Russian strikes against commercial maritime trade across the Black Sea. Ukrainian authorities reported that a separate attack targeted the Mera Queen, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged bulk carrier transporting wheat, resulting in the death of one crew member.

EMIL, owned by Hamburg-based shipping company Johann M. K. Blumenthal GmbH & Co. KG, was operating roughly 21 nautical miles from the Ukrainian coastal city of Odesa when the attack occurred.

The strikes ignited a fire onboard, knocked out key technical systems, and rendered the ship unable to maneuver. Bild wrote that a secondary attack occurred during the evacuation of the 11-member crew, none of whom were German nationals or reported injured.

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War in Ukraine

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Russia’s Ministry of Defense subsequently acknowledged striking two cargo vessels in the Black Sea, alleging without evidence that the ships were carrying military equipment for Ukrainian forces, according to Bild.

The naval strike formed part of a wide series of attacks impacting German assets within hours. Alongside the maritime strikes, Russian missiles destroyed a warehouse belonging to German lubricant manufacturer Liqui Moly near Kyiv.

According to figures released by Ukraine’s Ministry for Restoration, Russian forces conducted dozens of strikes against seaport facilities and civilian cargo ships in July and early August, targeting active transport vessels as well as anchored commercial ships.

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