An image from what Ukraine says was a Russian strike on a civilian ship
A Russian missile has hit a civilian ship near the Ukrainian port of Odesa in the Black Sea, resulting in at least one fatality, as reported by Ukraine’s military.
The vessel, flying a Liberian flag, was apparently hit by an anti-radar missile, leading to the death of the ship’s pilot. Additionally, three Filipino crew members and one port worker sustained injuries.
There has been no immediate response from Russia regarding the attack.
Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister, Oleksandr Kubrakov, acknowledged the attack via social media, noting that the vessel was on its way to deliver iron ore to China.
Since Russia’s withdrawal from a grain export agreement earlier in the year, vessels near the port of Odesa have faced the threat of Russian strikes. The Russian defence ministry has declared all ships in the Black Sea en route to Ukraine as possible military objectives.
Minister Kubrakov highlighted that this recent strike marks the 21st instance of targeted assaults on port infrastructure following Russia’s exit from the grain export agreement.
