A Moldovan-flagged ship was hit by a Russian navy missile in the Black Sea. The incident took place about 19 kilometers from the port of Pivdennyi near Odessa, APA reports citing Tylaz.

The incident was confirmed by the Naval Agency of the Republic of Moldova.

“The Naval Agency of the Republic of Moldova informs that on 25.02.2022, the ship MILLENIAL SPIRIT IMO Nr. 7392610 (Chemical Tanker) under the flag of the Republic of Moldova being in the neutral waters of the Black Sea (46 ° 22.221’N, 031 ° 07.095’E) was hit by a shell (the source of the shell launch is unknown). A fire broke out aboard the ship, the rescue equipment and boats were destroyed, the ship’s crew left the ship equipped only with life jackets. At the moment, rescue work is being carried out by nearby ships. The ship’s crew are citizens of the Russian Federation. The ship’s operator is a legal entity from Ukraine. The Naval Agency will additionally inform about the process of rescuing the crew and the ship under the flag of the Republic of Moldova “, it is shown in a press release.

The incident was initially announced by the Head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces who sent in a message posted on Facebook that it was an oil tanker under the Romanian flag. The Ministry of National Defense transmitted that the ship was registered under the flag of the Republic of Moldova.

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency