Russian Missile Strikes Civilians Vessel in Black Sea

A Russian missile hit a grain-carrying civilian vessel in the Black Sea, which had already left Ukrainian waters, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The vessel was en route to Egypt, with no reported casualties. This attack highlights the risks to global food security and freedom of navigation.

A Russian missile targeted a civilian vessel carrying grain from Ukraine in the Black Sea, said President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday. The strike occurred after the vessel had left Ukrainian waters.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the incident as 'a brazen attack on freedom of navigation and global food security.' The vessel, bound for Egypt, reported no casualties.

'Ukraine's food deliveries to African and Middle Eastern countries are critical,' Zelenskiy stated on X. 'We will continue to make every effort to safeguard our ports, the Black Sea, and food exports to global markets. Wheat and food security should never be targets for missiles.'

An industry source informed Reuters that the grain vessel was hit in Romanian waters near the Danube river mouth overnight. Ukrainian navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk confirmed the vessel was in Romania's maritime economic zone, not Ukraine's grain corridor, at the time of the strike.

Ukraine exports approximately four million tonnes of grain monthly via its Black Sea corridor, established in August 2023 after Russia exited the Black Sea Grain Initiative. This corridor runs near Romania and Bulgaria's coasts.

Ukraine remains a leading global grain producer and exporter.

(With inputs from agencies.)