Two Azerbaijani Seafarers Killed as Russia Escalates Black Sea Strikes
Russia’s latest attack on a Turkish-owned tug killed two crew members and injured two more off Ukraine’s Odesa port.
An attack by Russian forces on a commercial vessel has left two Azerbaijani crew members dead and two others injured, prompting the Azerbaijani government to issue a security warning to its citizens. The incident occurred as the vessel, the 183 dwt offshore tug Tedy, was sailing toward Constanta, Romania.
The Turkish-owned tug, built in 1995 and registered in Somalia, was struck twice within a 24-hour period. The first attack came during daylight hours on September 9, while the second, which proved fatal, occurred overnight as the vessel attempted to reach safety. The injured seafarers were transported to a hospital in Chernomorsk, Ukraine, according to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Russia’s Claims and the Human Toll: black sea strikes
Russia’s Ministry of Defense did not acknowledge the casualties but stated that the Tedy was targeted while escorting two dry cargo ships allegedly delivering supplies to Ukraine’s military. The attack, which Moscow claimed took place near the Odesa port complex, also included strikes on a storage terminal in Chernomorsk and a depot in Mykolaiv. A separate strike was later reported on a dry cargo ship in Chernomorsk’s port, which Russia asserted was carrying military cargo.
The Tedy had a crew of 10, including four Azerbaijani nationals, three Turkish, two German, and one Ukrainian. The attack adds to a growing list of civilian vessels targeted by Russia this summer. Ukraine’s Ministry for Development of Communities reports that between July and August, Russian forces struck 52 civilian ships, including 35 in port waters and 22 at sea. Additionally, Ukraine has documented 67 attacks on its ports during the same period.
Azerbaijan’s Response and Wider Implications
In the wake of the attack, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a warning urging its citizens to avoid traveling or working in areas where military operations are active or security conditions are unstable. The statement specifically advised against employment on vessels operating in these regions.
The two injured Azerbaijani seafarers remain hospitalized in Chernomorsk, with no further details available about their condition. The incident underscores the risks faced by civilian maritime workers amid the ongoing conflict in the Black Sea.
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