Ukrainian Officials Report Russian Missile Strike on Civilian Ship at Black Sea Port
A Russian missile attack on a cargo ship in Odesa port, Ukraine, caused casualties including the pilot's death and injuries to four others, according to Ukrainian officials
A cargo ship in the Ukrainian port of Odesa was hit by a Russian missile, resulting in the death of the pilot and injuries to four others, according to Ukrainian officials. Indications from Ukraine's southern military command suggest that a Russian tactical aircraft in the Black Sea fired an anti-radar missile at the vessel on Wednesday afternoon.
The Operational Command South reported on Telegram that the civilian vessel flying the Liberian flag was struck by a rocket as it entered the port. Tragically, the vessel's 43-year-old pilot lost his life, while three Filipino crew members and a port worker sustained injuries.
Since withdrawing from a UN-brokered deal that ensured the secure transportation of grain through the Black Sea, Russia has launched multiple attacks on Ukrainian ports. In response, Ukraine established its own humanitarian corridor to bypass the effective blockade imposed by Russia. According to Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine's infrastructure minister, the recently attacked ship was originally intended to transport iron ore to China. He also highlighted the significant harm caused to Ukrainian infrastructure as a result of Russian strikes since the expiration of the grain deal.
"This marks the 21st assault on Black Sea ports in the Odesa region following Russia's withdrawal from the grain agreement in July. In this period, the hostile nation has caused significant harm to over 160 infrastructure sites and 122 transportation vehicles," Kubrakov stated on Facebook.
"The urgency of fortifying our air defense and safeguarding the southern region of Ukraine against Russian terrorist assaults is paramount," the minister affirmed.
Ukrainian authorities have launched an investigation into the Russian strike.
Ukrainian authorities shared images showing the damage to the ship caused by the missile.
Odesa Region Prosecutor's Office
Ukraine, commonly known as the "breadbasket of Europe," is a significant grain exporter, with a significant portion of its grains being sent to developing nations in Africa. However, when Russia carried out a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, they blockaded the country's Black Sea ports, effectively halting Ukraine's crop exports.
This maritime blockade lasted for several months until July 2022 when a diplomatic milestone, known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, was achieved through the efforts of the United Nations and Turkey. This breakthrough enabled Ukraine to resume the limited export of grain for a specific period of time.
The agreement was repeatedly extended, but in July of this year, Russia decided not to renew it. As a result,
Russia resumed its blockade and launched a sustained attack on Ukraine's ports and grain storage facilities.
Combine harvesters harvest wheat on a field in the Siberian Novosibirsk region on September 19, 2023.
Vladimir Nikolayev/AFP/Getty Images
Russia is employing its grain exports as a covert strategy to undermine Ukraine. When the Russian defense ministry cautioned that any vessels navigating the Black Sea bound for Ukrainian ports could be perceived as potential conveyors of military supplies, international concern escalated. The United Nations, echoing these apprehensions, accused Russia of weaponizing food and posed a serious threat to global food security.
Ukraine accused Russia of flagrant violation of its international obligations by endangering civilian ships. The country's foreign ministry condemned Russia's actions as an intentional strategy to eliminate a rival from the market, deliberately drive up global food prices, and exploit the suffering of countless people worldwide.
In response, Ukraine has been taking measures to bypass Russia's blockade, such as exporting grain through the Danube River. Additionally, a deal has been made with Poland and Lithuania to relocate certain border checks for Ukrainian-Polish trade to the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda, thereby expediting exports.
Andrii Klymenko, who leads the Black Sea Institute of Strategic Studies, referred to Russia's attack on the cargo ship as an act of "piracy" in a Facebook post. The Russian authorities have not yet provided any immediate response to the Wednesday strike.
