A Moldova-flag tanker that was disabled in a Russian attack in February has been hit by another missile, Ukraine claims.
The Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported that the 2,200-dwt bunker vessel Millennial Spirit (built 1974) was struck in the Black Sea on Thursday, according to Ukraine’s military.
The ship has been adrift since it was hit by a Russian missile fired from a warship on 25 February, the day after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The tanker was carrying more than 500 tonnes of diesel.
Ukraine’s military called the ship a “delayed-action ecological bomb”.
It now fears the rest of the cargo is burning.
“Two Kh-31 missiles were launched from Su-30 aircraft during yet another airstrike at Odessa region,” according to Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesman for the head of the Odessa Regional Military Administration.
“One missile hit the Millennial Spirit tanker (Moldova-flagged), which drifts in the territorial sea without a crew and with the remains of diesel fuel on board.”
The second missile did not hit a target.
The statement was posted on the Telegram messaging service with reference to the Operational Command “South”.
The report has yet to be verified.
Moldova said at the time of the first attack that the ship had a Russian crew and that two member were seriously wounded.
TradeWinds reported that on 24 February, the 61,100-dwt bulker Yasa Jupiter (built 2019) had its windows blown out, reportedly in a Russian shelling in the same area.
The next day, the 85,065-dwt bulker Namura Queen (built 2020) and the Millennial Spirit were struck with missiles.
Ukrainian rescue crews were sent to the scene.
The tanker is listed as operated by Millennial Energy Trading of Malta.
The ship is also listed as a total loss.
The Millennial Spirit was detained in Ukraine in 2020 with 36 deficiencies, but only one was grounds for detention.
This related to the engine international air pollution prevention, or EIAPP, certificate.
