A Turkish-linked merchant vessel carrying grain came under Russian missile attack in the Black Sea on Sunday, leaving five sailors dead and five others missing, according to the Ukrainian Navy.
Ukrainian authorities said three Russian cruise missiles struck the bulk carrier as it sailed away from the conflict zone.
The vessel, which operated under the flag of Guinea-Bissau and carried a cargo of grain, sustained the missile strike while departing the area, the Ukrainian Navy said.
Rescue teams saved eight crew members and transported them to a hospital in Odesa for treatment.
Ukraine condemns attack on civilian vessel
Kyiv accused Russia of deliberately targeting an unarmed civilian ship.
“This is another deliberate Russian attack against an unarmed civilian vessel flying a foreign flag that posed absolutely no threat,” Ukrainian officials said.
“The attack constitutes an act of terrorism against peaceful navigation and a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
Acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the crew consisted mainly of Syrian and Indian nationals. He added that the ship’s Ukrainian captain was among those killed.
Strike follows renewed attacks on Kyiv
Sybiha said the attack demonstrated that Russia had continued its military campaign despite international condemnation of overnight strikes on Kyiv.
“While the world continues reacting to Russia’s brutal overnight attack on Kyiv, Moscow continued its campaign of terror throughout the day,” he said.
During the night from Saturday to Sunday, Russian forces launched around 20 ballistic missiles at Kyiv, killing one person and injuring 16 others, according to Ukrainian authorities. The strikes came one day after deadly Ukrainian attacks inside Russia.
Russian forces have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, particularly in the Odesa region, throughout the war.