Drone strikes hit three civilian cargo ships in the Black Sea

Overnight on June 22, drones struck three foreign-flagged cargo ships as they crossed the Black Sea. The heaviest damage fell on the Victress, a bulk carrier that flies the flag of Panama and is owned by Turkish interests. A fire took hold on the bridge.

A 58-year-old Egyptian cook was killed. Two Turkish crew were hurt. The rest of the people aboard, a mix of Turkish and Indian nationals, were taken off the ship in a Ukrainian rescue.

The same night caught two more ships, one under the flag of Palau and one under Belize. Both took damage and both stayed under way. No one on either ship was hurt.

The strike on the Turkish-owned ship landed soon after a senior Turkish delegation had been to Russia. Ukraine's foreign minister pointed to that timing in public.