A 37-year-old Belize-flagged general cargo vessel, NS Pride, was struck by an unexploded ordnance yesterday while transiting out of the port of Chornomorsk, Ukraine. Multiple explosions were reported as a result of the collision.
Maritime security specialists Ambrey assessed it likely that the explosions were caused by an unexploded unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) downed by Ukrainian electronic warfare during the preceding attack on the port. Ambrey observed video footage showing multiple downed UAVs floating on the surface on the water outside the port. Ambrey received uncorroborated information stating that UAVs dropped “compact naval mines” into the area of interest during the preceding attack.
The vessel was in ballast at the time of the incident, heading for the Romanian port of Sulina. The crew was reported unharmed. Reportedly, the vessel sustained minor damage with no water ingress.