President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the ship was transporting Ukrainian grain to Egypt and was hit overnight by a Russian missile shortly after leaving Ukrainian territorial waters. He said no casualties had been reported.
The US ambassador to Ukraine “strongly condemned” the attack and said Russia was responsible. A UN spokesman said the incident was a “wake-up call” about the dangers civilian vessels still face in the Black Sea.
Russia has not yet commented on the incident.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the air strike was "a blatant attack on freedom of movement and global food security". The Ukrainian navy said Russian Tupolev Tu-22 aircraft launched a salvo of cruise missiles at 23:02 local time (20:02 GMT) on Wednesday.
This is the first time a missile attack has targeted civilian grain ships at sea since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. Several ships were damaged in the attack while they were anchored in Ukrainian ports.
The incident comes as Zelenskiy has been calling on southern hemisphere countries, including Egypt – the destination of grain shipments from Ukraine – to persuade them to join Western countries in supporting Ukraine in the war.
The airstrike comes as NATO is discussing a decision to allow Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia from within the alliance, a decision Russia has said would draw retaliation if taken.
Western countries have also accused Iran of a serious escalation by deciding to supply ballistic missiles to Russia.
British maritime security firm Ambrey said a cargo ship flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis was attacked by a Russian missile after leaving the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk in the Odesa region.
The company said the ship suffered damage to its port side, including a cargo hold and a crane.
The Navy has identified the damaged ship as the bulk carrier Aya.
US Ambassador Bridget Brink on X wrote: "We strongly condemn Russia's attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Black Sea last night. This escalating attack is a blatant violation of international law and threatens global food security."
Attacks on civilian ships and port infrastructure "are prohibited under international law and must be prevented," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
“Ensuring the safety and stability of agricultural exports through the Black Sea continues to be of great importance for global food security and maintaining stable international agricultural prices.”
Ship tracking data shows the ship’s last reported location was off the Romanian port of Constanta. The ship’s owner, Athens-based VRS Maritime Services, could not be reached for comment.
Wheat price increase
Traders said the incident contributed to a rise in wheat prices by raising concerns about possible tight supplies through the Black Sea export zone. U.S. futures rose as much as 2 percent to a two-month high.
Mr Zelenskiy shared several images of the ship's damaged crane as well as other damage.
The attack took place not far from the mouth of the Danube River, a source said. Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy, said the ship was attacked near Romania.
The Romanian Maritime Authority said the ship had not entered Romanian territorial waters and had not received any requests for assistance.
On X, Mr Zelenskiy wrote: "Food security and wheat should never be the target of missile strikes."
Ukraine is a major grain exporter and has been battling Russia across the Black Sea to restore exports through its ports after Russia imposed a blockade of the area.
Exports were resumed in late 2022 – with lower volumes – at three Odesa region ports based on a deal brokered by the United Nations and Türkiye, which was abandoned last year.
In August 2023, Ukraine established a shipping corridor after using unmanned ships and long-range weapons to attack Russia's Black Sea Fleet, pushing its ships away from the eastern Black Sea region.
This shipping corridor runs along the western coast of the Black Sea before leaving Ukrainian territorial waters and extending south through Romania and Bulgaria.
Nguyen Quang Minh (according to Reuters)
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/ukraine-bao-cao-nga-tan-cong-tau-cho-ngu-coc-gan-romania-204240913081914866.htm
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