Russian Drone Strikes Chinese Ship Off Ukrainian Coast Before Putin Meets Xi

Russian Forces Launch Attack on Ukrainian Territory with Drones

Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian forces launched an attack on Ukrainian territory overnight, using 524 drones and 22 missiles, including ballistic and cruise missiles. The attack targeted two civilian vessels in the Black Sea, one of which was a Chinese-owned cargo ship.

According to reports, the KSL Deyang, a Chinese-owned vessel under the Marshall Islands flag, was struck by a drone, resulting in damage to one side of the ship. The crew, consisting of all Chinese citizens, reported no injuries and continued on their journey despite the attack.

The Ukrainian navy confirmed that the attack occurred while the ship was en route to load iron ore concentrate at Ukraine’s Pivdennyi port in the Odesa region. A spokesman for the Ukrainian navy stated that the crew handled the situation independently after the attack.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, and the attack occurred just before his departure. The incident marks the latest in a series of attacks by Russian forces on civilian vessels in the Odesa region since the invasion of Ukraine began four years ago.

Source: Al Jazeera