Russia attacked two civilian boats belonging to the Maritime Search and Rescue Service that were carrying out a humanitarian mission within the Ukrainian maritime corridor; there are casualties.
According to Ukrinform, Oleksii Kuleba, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery and Minister of Community and Territorial Development, reported this on Telegram.
“The enemy struck two boats of the Maritime Search and Rescue Service that were carrying out a humanitarian mission within the Ukrainian maritime corridor. Unfortunately, there are casualties. Evacuation by boats of the Ukrainian Navy is underway,” the message reads.
According to Kuleba, small coastal search and rescue vessels enjoy special protection under international humanitarian law. In particular, Article 27 of the Second Geneva Convention of 1949 explicitly provides for the protection of vessels used by a state or officially recognized rescue organizations exclusively for search and rescue operations and to assist people at sea.
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