Russian Drone Reportedly Hits Chinese-Owned Cargo Ship Ahead of Putin-Xi Meeting
On the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Ukraine has claimed that a Russian drone struck a Chinese-owned cargo ship, the 'KSL Deyang', in the Black Sea. The incident, which resulted in no injuries, adds a complex element to the Sino-Russian relationship.
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- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 18:02
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(Central News Agency, Kyiv, 18th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) On the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Ukraine said today that a Russian drone hit a Chinese-owned cargo ship in the Black Sea overnight.
According to an AFP report, the attack occurred as Putin was about to embark on a two-day visit to Beijing, where he is expected to further deepen the friendly relations between the two countries with Xi Jinping.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in a social media post: "A drone attack on Odesa... one of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) hit a Chinese-owned vessel."
Zelenskyy said, "It's impossible that Russia did not know which ship was at sea."
A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy told AFP that all crew members on board were Chinese citizens, there were no injuries, and the Chinese-owned ship continued its voyage afterward.
The Ukrainian Navy identified the cargo ship as "KSL Deyang" and released photos showing a portion of the ship's upper deck apparently blackened after being hit. (Compiled by: Chen Cheng-chien) 1150518
According to an AFP report, the attack occurred as Putin was about to embark on a two-day visit to Beijing, where he is expected to further deepen the friendly relations between the two countries with Xi Jinping.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in a social media post: "A drone attack on Odesa... one of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) hit a Chinese-owned vessel."
Zelenskyy said, "It's impossible that Russia did not know which ship was at sea."
A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy told AFP that all crew members on board were Chinese citizens, there were no injuries, and the Chinese-owned ship continued its voyage afterward.
The Ukrainian Navy identified the cargo ship as "KSL Deyang" and released photos showing a portion of the ship's upper deck apparently blackened after being hit. (Compiled by: Chen Cheng-chien) 1150518