4 Filipino seamen injured in Russian attack on Ukraine port

FOUR Filipino seafarers were hurt after a Russian missile hit a cargo ship docked at the port of Pivdennyi in Ukraine, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the four Filipino seafarers were on board the Liberian-flagged ship the Kmax Ruler.

“The ship’s captain, able seaman, deck cadet, and ship’s electrician, were at the bridge of the ship when the missile hit,” said Cacdac.

“Thankfully, they were far enough from the point of impact and suffered non-fatal injuries,” he added.

Cacdac said the captain, able seaman, and deck cadet all suffered minor injuries and received treatment on-board.

The ship’s electrician, on the other hand, sustained a fracture on his left hand and is receiving treatment at a local hospital.

“They are out of harm’s way… They are all out of danger,” said Cacdac.

Cacdac said the DMW has facilitated communication between the seafarers and their families, and instructed the seafarers’ manning agency and ship owner to provide assistance to the injured crew.

A Reuters report quoted Ukrainian officials as saying a Russian missile damaged the Liberia-flagged civilian vessel entering a Black Sea port in Odesa region, killing one and injuring four people.

Russia has been repeatedly attacking Ukrainian port infrastructure after pulling out of the UN-brokered deal that guaranteed safe shipments of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea.

“The missile hit the superstructure of a civilian vessel under the flag of Liberia, at the moment of its entry into the port,” Ukraine’s southern military command said on Telegram messenger.

The vessel was supposed to transport iron ore to China, Ukraine Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said.

Yoruk Isik, head of the Bosphorus Observer consultancy, said Kmax Ruler, 92,000 dwt had been in the port of Pivdennyi loading iron when it was hit. The Ukrainian pilot on board was killed and “a few” crew members were dead or injured, he said.

The export deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey collapsed in July as Russia denounced its provisions, saying its demands for sanctions be lifted on its grain and fertilizer exports had not been met.

Kyiv has since opened