Merchant vessels are considered civilian objects and are protected by international humanitarian law, and their crews cannot be the target of deliberate attacks. This was stated to TASS by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, commenting on the attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on a Russian bulk carrier in the Sea of Azov.
According to Jeremy Lawrence, a spokesman for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, under international humanitarian law, merchant ships are considered civilian objects and are not subject to attack unless they are being used for military purposes.
He also emphasized that the crew members of such vessels have the status of civilians. Therefore, parties to the conflict are obligated to take all necessary precautions to avoid harm to them.
On April 5 , it was reported that Ukrainian drones attacked the Volgo-Balt bulk carrier, which was carrying grain. The vessel was sailing 300 miles north of Kerch . There were 11 people on board at the time of the attack. Nine crew members were reportedly evacuated in a capsule boat and reached the Kherson region.
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