Two Azerbaijani sailors lost their lives on Tuesday when a drone struck their tugboat in the Black Sea, marking the latest incident in a series of attacks on civilian shipping near the Ukrainian port of Odesa.
The Somali-flagged tugboat TEDY, operated by Turkey's Mert Marine Corporation, was first hit near Odesa and then came under two further drone attacks overnight as it headed toward the Romanian port of Constanta.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry confirmed the deaths of crew members Aslan Aliyev and Asim Gasimov. Two other Azerbaijani sailors, Imran Novruzov and Rauf Aliyev, were hospitalised in the Ukrainian city of Chornomorsk with burn injuries. Six additional crew members received treatment at the scene. The vessel carried ten crew members in total, including Azerbaijani, Turkish, German, and Ukrainian nationals.
The ministry said it was coordinating with diplomatic missions and relevant authorities to repatriate the injured and handle procedures for the deceased. It did not assign responsibility for the attack.
Ukraine blames Russia, Moscow claims military cargo
Ukraine's Ministry for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport said Russia had carried out the attack, describing it as part of a sustained campaign against civilian vessels and port infrastructure. Russia's Defence Ministry, meanwhile, said on Wednesday that it had struck two cargo vessels heading to Odesa and a tugboat, claiming the ships were carrying military supplies. Kyiv did not comment on the Russian claim.
Chornomorsk is a major Ukrainian commercial port on the Black Sea and one of the principal terminals for Ukrainian grain exports. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Kyiv and Moscow negotiated the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed Ukrainian agricultural exports to resume under UN and Turkish supervision before Russia withdrew from the agreement in July 2023.
Since then, Russia has repeatedly targeted the port and its surrounding infrastructure. Attacks on civilian shipping in the Black Sea have intensified since July, when multiple merchant vessels flying third-country flags have been struck, raising concerns about the safety of seafarers.
The incident underscores the broader risks in the region, as Ukraine's drone campaign against Russian targets continues to escalate. It also highlights the vulnerability of commercial maritime routes that are vital for global food security.
European observers have voiced alarm over the growing danger to civilian vessels, with some calling for stronger naval patrols and better protection for shipping lanes. The attack comes amid heightened tensions in the Black Sea, where both sides have used drones extensively.
The deaths of the two Azerbaijani sailors add to a mounting toll of civilian casualties in the conflict. As investigations continue, the international community is watching closely to see whether such attacks will prompt further diplomatic or military responses.
