Russian Forces Strike Rescue Boats in the Black Sea

Attacks on Humanitarian Missions by the Russian Military

According to Главком: Two vessels from the maritime search-and-rescue service came under fire from Russian forces while carrying out a humanitarian operation within Ukraine's designated sea corridor. The assault left people injured, and evacuation efforts are currently underway using boats from the Ukrainian Navy.

Additionally, on May 29, the Russian military used an unmanned aerial vehicle to strike the cargo ship ANT, which was sailing under the flag of Vanuatu. The vessel, owned by a Turkish company, was en route from a port in the Odesa region to Turkey with a load of goods. Another attack targeted the bulk carrier Ksl Deyang, which was at sea near Odesa. That ship had a crew composed of Chinese nationals.

Ukrainian Officials Respond

“Small coastal search-and-rescue vessels are granted special protections under international humanitarian law. Specifically, Article 27 of the Second Geneva Convention of 1949 explicitly safeguards ships used exclusively by a state or officially recognized rescue organizations for conducting search-and-rescue operations and providing assistance to people at sea.”

Oleksiy Kuleba, Ukrainian official

Kuleba further emphasized that “this attack is yet more proof of Russia’s deliberate disregard for international law and its direct threat to the safe operation of humanitarian maritime corridors in the Black Sea.” It is also worth noting that specialized air defense units, made up of veteran port workers, are actively intercepting enemy drones over Ukrainian ports. In the first months of 2026, Russia has dramatically escalated drone strikes on port infrastructure, increasing the frequency by more than tenfold compared to previous periods.

These events highlight the intensification of military actions in the Black Sea, which carries serious consequences for the security of maritime corridors-especially those tied to humanitarian missions. Targeting search-and-rescue vessels and commercial ships endangers lives and hampers the delivery of aid, potentially triggering new crises in the region. The international community must respond to such violations of human rights and international humanitarian law to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

The recent attacks on humanitarian missions in the Black Sea are part of a broader escalation in military actions by Russian forces. Notably, just days prior, a Vanuatu-flagged cargo ship was targeted by a Russian drone, highlighting the increasing risks faced by vessels operating in the region. For more details on this incident and its implications for maritime safety, read our report on the drone strike on the cargo ship.