VIDEO: Russian Sailors Struggle to Return Home

Thirteen Russian members of the crew aboard the Venus-1 vessel, detained in Namibia, have been trapped in a dire situation for nearly six months without passports, salaries, and adequate food.

In December 2025, fifteen sailors, thirteen of whom are Russian citizens, traveled to Africa for fishing purposes through the Hodago Fishing company and intermediary Daron. Their foreign passports were taken under the pretext of visa arrangements, with a promise to pay their salaries after returning to the port.

After catching and unloading about 600 tons of fish, the shipowner refused to make payments. Following the crew's complaint, the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) placed the ship under detention. Currently, Hodago Fishing is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. If the court rules in favor of the employees, the company will have to sell the ship to cover a debt of $435,000 (approximately 33 million 168 thousand rubles).

However, due to court delays, the sailors continue to remain onboard. Over the past two months, food supplies have been depleted twice. New deliveries have only been possible through the intervention of the Russian Federation's consul and port permission, but only 30% of the necessary food is being provided.

The ship's fuel will last a maximum of another week, after which the vessel will be left powerless. According to the captain, the documents have not yet been returned, which prevents the crew from leaving the port area and returning to their families.