Russia Attacks Civilian Vessel MERA QUEEN in Ukrainian Port, One Sailor Killed

On August 5, the civilian vessel MERA QUEEN, flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, was damaged in a Russian attack. One crew member, a citizen of Ukraine, was killed, while the other sailors were evacuated to shore. The vessel was docked at the pier on the morning of August 6, and specialists are assessing the damage and addressing the aftermath of the attack. Russian forces have been regularly attacking Ukraine's port infrastructure and civilian vessels in the waters of Ukrainian ports for over a month. The authorities emphasized that Russia's strikes on civilian vessels indicate attempts to restrict freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. The international community must intensify efforts to ensure the safety of maritime transport and hold Russia accountable for attacks on civilian infrastructure. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 264 civilian vessels have been affected, and more than 960 port infrastructure facilities have been damaged or destroyed.