17 Filipino seafarers safe after Black Sea drone attack

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 24, 2026

Photo courtesy: Daily Guardian

MANILA, Philippines — Seventeen Filipino seafarers aboard the M/V Anna S are safe following a reported drone attack while the vessel was sailing in the Black Sea near Novorossiysk, Russia, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.

The DMW said it received confirmation from the crew’s manning agency that all 17 Filipino seafarers were unharmed.

Each crew member received $300 in cash assistance from the shipowner, along with mobile phones, clothing, shoes, toiletries, medicine and other basic needs.

The department also said 22 Filipino seafarers aboard the M/V Elina B were unharmed following a separate incident on August 17. The vessel was reportedly attacked after rescuing crew members from the M/V Anna S.

The M/V Elina B is currently docked at the Bosphorus Strait in Turkey while the Philippine Embassy and the shipowner process the travel documents and immigration clearances of the affected Filipino crew.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the department is coordinating with Migrant Workers Offices, Philippine embassies, shipowners and manning agencies to ensure the safety, assistance and repatriation of the seafarers.

The reported drone attacks come amid continuing tensions linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.