On Monday, Russian drones struck two civilian ships in the Black Sea as they were approaching Ukrainian ports, including one Chinese-owned vessel, just a day before President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit Beijing for talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday (May 18) claimed a Russian drone struck a Chinese cargo vessel in the Black Sea overnight, just a day before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled visit to Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He suggested Moscow would have been aware of the ship’s presence and also accused Russia of widespread attacks across eight regions, leaving dozens injured.
A spokesperson for the Ukrainian navy told AFP that none of the crew members, all of whom are Chinese nationals, were injured. He also stated that the ship proceeded with its voyage. According to the Ukrainian navy, the ship has been identified as the KSL Deyang. The navy also published a photograph depicting a section of the upper deck charred following the suspected strike.
“Drones struck Odesa ... and one of the UAVs hit a vessel owned by China. The Russians could not have been unaware of what vessel was at sea,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky said Russia launched 524 attack drones and 22 missiles, including ballistic and cruise types, in the assault. He urged European nations to build stronger anti-ballistic defences and reduce reliance on external protection, calling for urgent support to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence systems and improve protection against such attacks.