Ukraine’s military has accused Russia of striking a Liberian-flagged civilian commercial ship on the Black Sea, killing one person and injuring four, including three Philippine citizens.
Russia “insidiously launched an anti-radar missile Kh-31P” toward one of the Ukraine’s Odesa region’s seaports from its tactical aviation airplanes in the Black Sea, “continuing its terror against civil shipping,” Ukraine’s southern military command said on its Telegram channel late on Wednesday, publishing images showing damage to the vessel.
Russia has attacked Ukrainian port infrastructure on multiple occasions since pulling out of the historic Black Sea Grain Initiative in July. The deal allowed the safe exports of Ukraine’s grain and agricultural products to global markets.
Russia has warned that ships traveling in the Black Sea to Ukraine’s ports may be considered military targets
“The missile hit the superstructure of a civilian vessel under the flag of Liberia, at the moment of its entry into the port,” Ukraine’s military said.
Ukraine Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said in a statement on Facebook that the vessel was supposed to transport iron ore to China, and added that Russia has launched 21 attacks on port infrastructure since withdrawing from the grain deal.
“During this time, the terrorist country damaged more than 160 infrastructure facilities and 122 vehicles,” Kubrakov said.
Yoruk Isik, head of the Bosphorus Observer consultancy, told Reuters the vessel was the Kmax Ruler, a dry bulk vessel. It was in the port of Pivdennyi loading iron when it was struck, he said.
Russia hasn’t commented on the accusations. Newsweek has contacted Russia’s Foreign Ministry for comment via email.
Britain’s Defense Ministry said in late July that Russia repositioned its Black Sea Fleet following the termination of the grain deal, and that there is the potential for an increase in violence in the area.
British intelligence said in September that Ukraine’s air defenses thwarted Russia from striking a Liberian-flagged civilian cargo ship at a port in Ukraine’s Odesa region in the Black Sea weeks earlier.
That vessel was targeted by Russia’s military with “multiple missiles” on August 24, the U.K.’s Foreign Office said in a statement. The missiles, which included two Kalibr cruise missiles fired from a Black Sea Fleet missile carrier, were “successfully shot down” by Ukraine’s defenses, it said.
“This attack followed U.S. government warnings that the Russian military may launch attacks against civilian shipping in the Black Sea,” the U.K. said. “Thanks to Ukraine’s air defense, the attack on the civilian ship failed. Not one of the Kalibr missiles reached its intended target.”
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