Working Conditions Aboard the Emil

On September 9, 2026, a shocking drone strike by Russian forces targeted the tugboat 'Tedy' (IMO: 9059200) while it was off the coast of Odesa, Ukraine. The tug was engaged in towing the vessel 'Emil,' which had previously sustained severe damage from a drone attack on August 5 in the Black Sea, approximately 21 nautical miles from Odesa. At the time of the attack, the 'Tedy' had a crew of ten, composed of four Azerbaijani, three Turkish, two German, and one Ukrainian national. Following the drone assault, the tug sought refuge alongside a bulk carrier. The crew attempted to signal safety by hoisting both the white and Turkish flags but were unfortunately targeted again by drones. Tragically, two Azerbaijani crew members, Aslan Aliyev and Asim Gasımov, lost their lives in this alarming incident. Additionally, two others, Imran Novruzov and Rauf Aliyev, sustained injuries and were promptly taken to a hospital in Chornomorsk for treatment. The situation escalated further on the morning of September 10, when the 'Tedy' was struck by two more drones while en route to the port city of Constanța. The Russian defense ministry inaccurately reported having attacked two cargo vessels heading to Odesa, allegedly supplying goods for the Ukrainian Armed Forces during this period of ongoing conflict. For more on this developing situation, check out the following video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdGzLAkDWG1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

On August 5, 2026, the bulk carrier 'Emil', operated by the German shipping company Johann M. K. Blumenthal GmbH & Co. KG from Hamburg-Altona, came under fire from Russian drones while navigating the Black Sea, approximately 21 nautical miles from the city of Odessa, Ukraine. The vessel sustained multiple drone hits that sparked a fire and led to significant malfunctions in several of its onboard systems, effectively rendering the ship inoperable. In a swift response, the crew initiated an evacuation; however, they faced additional drone attacks during this perilous process. Fortunately, all 11 crew members aboard the 'Emil' managed to escape unharmed amid the chaos of the aerial assaults.