0
Views

Multiple Crewmembers Killed in Russian Strike on Turkish Bulker

Turkish bulker
Courtesy Ukrainian Navy

Published Jul 19, 2026 11:03 PM by The Maritime Executive


Over the weekend, Russian forces struck a Turkish-owned bulker off the coast of Odesa, killing six crewmembers and leaving four missing, according to the Ukrainian Navy and multiple local reports. 

The freighter Golden Leo was operating in waters near Odesa when it was hit by multiple Russian cruise missiles, according to local outlets. The munitions struck the starboard side of the superstructure, and the accommodations block was destroyed by the blast and resulting fire. 

Typical of Turkish coasters in high risk Black Sea trade, the Golden Leo is an aging freighter with comparatively low resale value. Built in 1998, she is older than the usual retirement age for a merchant vessel. The vessel appears to have made previous calls to the Odesa region. 

Attacks in and around Odesa have picked up in recent days as Russia launches retaliatory strikes on Ukraine's shipping, ports and other infrastructure. 18 people have been killed in the region over the last week. 

 

 

Ukrainian forces rescue missing crewmember 

Overnight Saturday, Ukraine's border guard service conducted a successful search and rescue operation to save a missing crewmember from another bulker that had been attacked by Russian drones. 

The freighter Venturo was hit by Russian Geran-4 one-way drones on Friday, damaging the superstructure and setting fire to the bridge. 17 crewmembers were rescued by Ukraine's navy, but one Filipino sailor - the ship's electrician - remained missing. He abandoned ship using the vessel's life raft after the departure of his crewmates, and remained adrift into the following day.

On Saturday night, the 26th Border Detachment of the State Border Guard Service spotted a small craft using surveillance equipment. The agency launched a patrol boat to search for the  boat. In dark of night, and despite the constant threat of renewed Russian drone strikes, the Border Guard patrol crew found the craft - an enclosed motor life boat - and rescued the Venturo's last missing crewmember. Though the survivor had been at sea for a day, he was in good condition and did not need medical attention.