10 killed after Russian strike sinks foreign vessel in Ukraine's Odesa
A foreign vessel sinks off Odesa in Ukraine after Russian missile strike on July 19 (photo: t.me/odeskaODA)
A foreign civilian vessel that was struck by a Russian missile last week has sunk in the Black Sea near Odesa. Ten people were killed in the attack, Odesa Regional Military Administration head Oleh Kiper reported.
Details of tragic event
Russian forces hit the civilian vessel with missiles on July 19 as it was leaving port carrying a cargo of Ukrainian corn.
The missile strike killed nine crew members and a Ukrainian harbor pilot. Eight other sailors were rescued and evacuated.
By the time the vessel finally sank, there was no one left on board.
"The enemy has once again demonstrated that it is deliberately targeting civilian shipping, putting people's lives and the safety of maritime transport at risk," Oleh Kiper said.
The regional military administration chief added that the attack on a civilian vessel carrying a peaceful cargo is further "evidence of the terrorist nature of the aggressor state."
Russia strikes civilian vessels in Black Sea
As previously reported, Russia has continued to consistently target civilian shipping in an effort to block Ukraine's maritime corridor.
On Saturday, July 25, Russian forces struck a civilian vessel carrying 2,800 tons of corn in the Odesa region twice. At the time, two crew members were reported missing following the attack.
In addition, following the latest escalation and assaults on cargo ships, Russia has completely blocked traffic through Ukraine's maritime corridor.
Amid the threat of global food insecurity and continued targeting of civilian vessels, Ukraine has already called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
