Black Sea sailors thought a rescue boat was racing toward them. Instead, it was a drone that sank their ship
Commercial sailors in the Black Sea are increasingly targeted by sea drones amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Survivors describe the chaos of attacks that have disrupted shipping corridors and prompted NATO to increase maritime security.
Why it matters
The escalation of drone warfare against civilian vessels poses significant risks to global supply chains and maritime safety.
As the 16-man crew, made up of Syrian and Egyptian nationals, peered into the darkness, they spotted the outline of a boat moving quickly toward them. They shone their flashlights, thinking rescuers might have already responded to their distress call.
“We realized that this boat was also part of the group that was attacking us. Of course, we all ran,” said Ashraf Mamdouh, the vessel's 42-year-old chief officer.
The sea drone rammed directly into the ship.
“The vessel began sinking rapidly into the water. The whole crew was falling to the deck; nobody could stand properly because of the impact and the chaos,” he said.
“We didn't have time to finish launching the lifeboats.”
Inside dramatic rescue as drones hit hundreds of ships in Black Sea
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