KYIV, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Russian drones on Monday hit two foreign-flagged vessels near Ukraine's southern port of Chornomorsk, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. One of the vessels was
Russian drones hit two foreign vessels near Ukrainian port
Impact of Drone Attacks on Maritime Trade
KYIV, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Russian drones struck two foreign-flagged vessels on Monday, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said, the second such attack in four days on Black Sea shipping as the war nears the end of its fourth year.
Details of the Attacks
Kuleba said the vessels were sailing under the flags of Panama and San Marino, and that one person had been injured.
Reactions from Ukrainian Officials
The Panamanian ship was en route to pick up vegetable oil and the San Marino-flagged vessel had just been loaded with corn, he added.
Significance for Black Sea Shipping
"This is further evidence that Russia is deliberately attacking civilian vessels, international trade, and maritime safety," Kuleba wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters the attacks took place near the port of Chornomorsk, in the southern Odesa region. One of the vessels was heading to Italy, the person said.
The Odesa region is home to the Black Sea ports that are crucial for Ukraine's foreign trade and the survival of its wartime economy.
(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Writing by Dan Peleschuk;Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Sharon Singleton)
