Ukraine–Russia

Drone attacks on Somali-flagged tug TEDY in the Black Sea kill two Azerbaijani sailors

ATTACK
Location
Black Sea near Odesa approaches / en route Constanța (TEDY; exact hit positions unpublished)
Actors
Russia · Ukraine
Importance
Standard

On 9 September 2026 the Somali-flagged tug TEDY (IMO 9059200), owned by Mert Marine Corporation, came under drone attack near Odesa and was struck again overnight while heading toward Constanța. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on 10 September that crew members Aslan Aliyev and Asim Gasimov were killed and that Imran Novruzov and Rauf Aliyev were hospitalized with burns in Chornomorsk; Euronews reported six further crew treated at the scene. Azerbaijan’s MFA did not name a perpetrator; Interfax-Ukraine attributed the strike to Russian forces. Distinct from Starokozache BCP drones (evt_6d5383d8).

Why it matters

Named foreign civilian mariners killed on a commercial tug in the Black Sea corridor shows the shipping war expanding beyond Ukrainian-flagged and coastal targets to third-country crews.

  • Fatalities: Best 2 · Confidence: Probable · Evidence: Azerbaijan's MFA confirms deaths of two citizens in Black Sea, Two Azerbaijani sailors killed in Black Sea tugboat drone attack · Aslan Aliyev and Asim Gasimov killed per Azerbaijan MFA.
  • Injuries: Best 2 · High 8 · Confidence: Probable · Evidence: Azerbaijan's MFA confirms deaths of two citizens in Black Sea, Two Azerbaijani sailors killed in Black Sea tugboat drone attack · Two Azerbaijanis hospitalized with burns (Novruzov, Rauf Aliyev); Euronews adds six further crew treated at the scene (range).

Verification: Probable

Evidence: Azerbaijan's MFA confirms deaths of two citizens in Black Sea, Two Azerbaijani sailors killed in Black Sea tugboat drone attack, Russians attack foreign cargo ship in Black Sea, killing 2 Azerbaijani citizens

PROBABLE casualties via Azerbaijan MFA (named dead/injured) + Euronews. Attribution to Russia is Ukrainian/Interfax claim; Azerbaijan MFA did not assign blame. Vessel identity TEDY/IMO from sailors’ association via 1news/Euronews.