Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The drone was allegedly part of a large assault on Ukraine.
Last week, US President Donald Trump made a three-day trip to China, where he met with Xi Jinping.
This week, it is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s turn to head east, as he is scheduled to visit Beijing starting Tuesday.
But what is likely intended to strengthen ties between Moscow and Beijing has already suffered a setback before the meeting even takes place, as a Chinese cargo ship was reportedly hit by a Russian drone.
Drone goes off course
According to The Independent and The Kyiv Independent, the Ukrainian Navy said that the KSL DEYANG bulk carrier, which is Chinese-owned but sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands, was hit by a Russian drone off the coast of Ukraine early Monday morning.
The drone was allegedly part of a large-scale Russian assault on Ukraine when it veered off course and struck the ship instead.
“Russia once again demonstrates that its attacks threaten not only Ukraine. Now even the ships of its closest partners are at risk in the Black Sea,” the military branch stated in a post on Telegram.
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Pushing toward port
The Chinese vessel was not the only target caught in the crossfire. Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper reported that a second civilian ship flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau was also hit.
Both ships were waiting in a designated maritime corridor. They were heading toward the major ports of Greater Odesa when the drones descended.
Kiper confirmed that the explosions caused small fires on board the ships. The crews quickly extinguished the flames. No one was injured, and the vessels continued safely on their routes.
A wider assault
These maritime incidents were part of a massive overnight offensive. Russian forces launched a large wave of drones specifically targeting the Odesa region.
That broader attack caused significant damage on land. Two local residents were injured, including an 11-year-old child.
The Kremlin has not yet issued a public response.
China remains a vital economic lifeline for Russia’s military effort, purchasing oil and supplying dual-use goods.
Sources: Ukrainian Navy, Dmytro Pletenchuk, Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper, The Independent, The Kyiv Independent, The Guardian
