Beijing brushes off allegations Chinese ship hit by Russian drone
China has dismissed allegations that a Russian drone struck its cargo ship, KSL Deyang, in the Black Sea. The incident occurred just before a scheduled meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chinese officials confirmed that there were no casualties among the crew and reiterated their call for dialogue to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
- ▪Ukraine reported that a Russian Shahed drone hit the Chinese cargo vessel KSL Deyang.
- ▪The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the vessel is registered in the Marshall Islands and had a Chinese crew.
- ▪Chinese officials confirmed no casualties among the crew and emphasized the need for dialogue to resolve the conflict.
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Beijing brushes off allegations Chinese ship hit by Russian droneSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxUkraine said on May 18 that a Russian Shahed drone had hit the Chinese cargo vessel KSL Deyang in the Black Sea.PHOTO: AFPPublished May 19, 2026, 06:00 PMUpdated May 19, 2026, 06:00 PMBEIJING – China brushed off on May 19 allegations that a Russian drone struck one of its cargo ships just a day before President Vladimir Putin was due to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for talks in Beijing.Ukraine said on May 18 that a Russian Shahed drone had hit the Chinese cargo vessel KSL Deyang in the Black Sea.The Ukrainian navy posted a photo showing part of the ship’s upper deck blackened after the alleged strike.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on May…
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