On April 25, 2025, a U.S. airstrike targeted the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa oil port in Yemen’s Hodeidah province, injuring three Russian sailors aboard the oil tanker Seven Pearls. The vessel was docked and preparing to unload its cargo when the strike occurred.
The injured crew members—Roman Kashpor, Igor Kazachenko, and Artyom Vanin—were rescued by Yemeni coast guard forces and transported to a hospital in Sanaa. One of the sailors reportedly required surgery.
This incident is part of a broader U.S. military campaign, “Operation Rough Rider,” aimed at disrupting the Houthis’ access to fuel and revenue sources. The April 25 strike on Ras Isa resulted in at least 74 deaths and 171 injuries, according to Houthi-controlled media.
The U.S. has conducted over 800 airstrikes in Yemen since mid-March 2025, targeting Houthi infrastructure and supply chains. These actions are in response to the Houthis’ attacks on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and their support for Hamas amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The presence of foreign-flagged vessels like the Seven Pearls in Houthi-controlled ports has raised concerns about the risks to civilian maritime operations in the region. The U.S. State Department had previously warned ships against docking at these ports due to the heightened threat of military action.
This incident underscores the escalating tensions in the region and the potential dangers faced by international maritime crews operating in conflict zones.
