On Saturday, June 6, a serious incident occurred in the Black Sea, once again raising questions about the safety of maritime humanitarian corridors. Russia attacked two civilian search-and-rescue vessels that were carrying out a humanitarian mission at the time. There are casualties as a result of the shelling, and their evacuation is currently underway by the Ukrainian Navy.
Strike on Rescuers in the Ukrainian Corridor
According to RBC-Ukraine, citing a statement by Vice Prime Minister for Restoration Affairs Oleksiy Kuleba, the strike was directed specifically at boats of the Maritime Search and Rescue Service. The vessels were within the Ukrainian maritime corridor, making the incident a violation not only of the rules of warfare but also of basic safety norms.
Kuleba emphasized that under international humanitarian law, small coastal search-and-rescue vessels have a special protected status. An attack on them by Russia is a direct violation of these norms and demonstrates a deliberate disregard for international obligations.
Systemic Threat to Humanitarian Corridors
"This attack is further proof that Russia is creating a direct threat to the safe functioning of humanitarian maritime corridors in the Black Sea," the Ukrainian official summarized. Such actions put not only rescuers at risk but also the possibility of conducting any humanitarian operations in the region.
Not the First Case: History of Attacks on Civilian Vessels
Incidents involving attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea are no longer isolated. Earlier, on January 12, Russian drones attacked a tanker flying the Panamanian flag, which was waiting to enter port to load vegetable oil. The vessel was in the waters of Ukrainian ports and posed no military threat.
Another episode occurred on the night of May 29: a ship traveling from a port in the Odesa region to Turkey was deliberately attacked. As a result of the strike, crew members were injured. These cases confirm the systemic nature of the threats facing civilian maritime vessels amid the ongoing conflict.
The situation remains tense, and the international community is once again calling for adherence to humanitarian law norms and the security of sea routes. For now, rescuers and commercial ship crews are forced to operate under heightened danger, where even performing humanitarian tasks can cost lives.