BSS
  03 Mar 2022, 19:54
Update : 03 Mar 2022, 22:04

Russia assures Dhaka of making efforts for Bangladeshi ship's safe departure  from Ukraine

   DHAKA/ CHATTOGRAM, March 3, 2022 (BSS) - Russia today said it regretted 
the death of a sailor onboard a Bangladeshi ship in Ukraine amid the armed 
conflict there and assured Dhaka of making "every effort" to ensure the 
ship's safe departure of the vessel. 
 
  "We express deep condolences to the near and dear ones of the deceased," 
the Russian embassy said in a statement.

 Without elaboration, the statement said the "circumstances of the incident 
are being established" as Bangladeshi sailor Hadisur Rahman, the third 
engineer of MV Banglar Samriddhi, was killed as the vessel was anchored at 
Ukraine's Olvia Port. 
 
  But it claimed that Russia's armed forces command "relying on the objective 
monitoring data, has repeatedly stated that, during the retreat, the 
Ukrainian nationalists open indiscriminate fire and deliberately capture 
hostages, use them as a 'human shield', resorting to the well-known 
terrorists' tactic".
 
 The statement said the Russian defence ministry launched the hotline +7 495 
498-34-46, +7 495 498-42-11, +7 495 498-41-09 for resolving the humanitarian 
issues arising from the special military operation in Ukraine, including the 
requests for evacuation of the civilians.

 The information could be also forwarded to the e-mail [email protected], it said.

   Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) officials in Chattogram, meanwhile, 
said their ship MV Banglar Samriddhi was stranded in a Ukrainian port. 
 
  "We are working relentlessly to rescue the sailors," BSC executive director 
Dr Pijush Dutta told newsmen in the port city adding that they were also 
scrutinizing the international maritime laws to negotiate about their safe 
departure. 
 
  The official said the ship was scheduled to move out of the port before the 
attack, but could not leave it due to delay in getting port authorities 
clearance and got stranded amid halted port operations.
 
  He said BSC was satisfied with the performance of the ill-fated Bangladeshi 
flagged carrier vessel's captain and crew as they tried their best to reduce 
the damage risking their lives.
 
  Dutta said Hadisur Rahman was killed in a missile attack, which immediately 
sparked a fire on the ship at the Ukrainian port at 9:25 pm last night but 
the remaining 28 crew members of the ship were safe and managed to douse the 
blaze immediately. 
 
  He said that another BSC ship was on its way to Ukraine with commercial 
cargo, but it master was asked to redirect its course and stay in 
international waters as the armed conflict escalated there.
 
 Banglar Samriddhi, a bulk carrier owned by BSC, left for Olvia port on Feb 
22 as the Russian attack in Ukraine began. 

Hadisur Rahman was working as the third engineer of the ship since 2018 after 
graduating from Bangladesh Marine Academy.