“Stella Maris Ukraine” Provided Relief to Sailors Following a Russian Attack on a Vessel in the Black Sea
The “Stella Maris Ukraine” mission, which provides maritime chaplaincy for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, organized comprehensive assistance for the crew of the civilian vessel M/V Ventura, which was attacked by Russian strike drones in the Black Sea.
On July 17, 2026, the bulk carrier M/V Ventura, with a crew from the Philippines, departed from the port of Chornomorsk. The vessel was attacked by four Russian drones: two struck it directly, and the other two exploded nearby. The strikes damaged the bridge and caused a massive fire. One crew member was killed, and four sailors suffered injuries, concussions, and blast injuries.
On the night of July 18, the Ukrainian Navy evacuated 16 crew members. One of the sailors—an electrical engineer—remained on the damaged vessel and spent about 12 hours there. After a second attack, he lowered a lifeboat on his own, transmitted his coordinates, and drifted for several hours toward the Ukrainian coast. He was rescued by border guards, and the crew of the “Stella Maris Ukraine,” together with a representative of the shipowner, arranged for his transport to Odesa.
Immediately after learning of the sailors’ evacuation, “Stella Maris Ukraine” activated its emergency humanitarian response mechanism. The affected sailors were provided with shelter in a hotel, meals, clothing and footwear, personal hygiene items, medical care, and psychological and spiritual support. The team also helped the sailors reconnect with their families.
One of the injured sailors was hospitalized, while the rest of the crew underwent a full medical examination. In addition to physical injuries, the sailors exhibited acute stress reactions caused by the attack they had endured, the death of a comrade, and the emergency evacuation.
The humanitarian operation was coordinated by Fr. Oleksandr Smerechynskyy, National Director of Stella Maris Ukraine, and Yevhen Barsukov, Program Director. Assistance was provided in cooperation with the Ukrainian Navy, the State Border Guard Service, the Odesa Regional Military Administration, medical facilities, and representatives of the shipowner.
“Stella Maris” is an international Catholic maritime ministry that has been serving seafarers and their families for over a century. Amid a full-scale war, “Stella Maris Ukraine” combines traditional maritime pastoral care with humanitarian, psychological, and spiritual support for the crews of civilian ships who have survived Russian attacks, sustained injuries, and lost their colleagues.
The UGCC Department for Information