Ten people were killed in a Russian missile strike on a cargo ship transporting grain near Odesa, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority announced, as reported by Index.
The vessel, sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau, was hit by missiles. It departed from a Ukrainian port on 19 July carrying a cargo of corn. The crew consisted of 17 citizens of Syria and India, along with a Ukrainian pilot from the Delta-Pilot branch of the Sea Ports Authority, who was among those killed.
"Search and rescue operations lasted all night, and the fire on the ship was brought under control. Eight crew members were rescued and taken to shore," the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority stated on social media.
Ukrainian authorities consider the attack on the civilian vessel a war crime. The final consequences of the strike, including damage to the ship and cargo, are still being assessed.
