A civilian cargo vessel carrying nearly 2,800 tonnes of corn was struck while leaving an Odesa region port. Rescuers launched an urgent search as two sailors remain unaccounted for.
After leaving the port in the Odessa region, Russia twice attacked a civilian vessel under the Palau flag, which was carrying corn; two sailors are missing, seven crew members and a Ukrainian harbor pilot were rescued.
The incident was reported on Telegram by Ukraine’s Minister for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport, Mykola Kalashnik.
Russia continues targeted attacks on Ukraine’s civil shipping and port infrastructure. Today, during departure from the port in the Odessa region, a civilian vessel under the Palau flag was attacked twice, carrying nearly 2,800 tonnes of corn
– Mykola Kalashnik, Telegram
This is yet another deliberate strike against civil infrastructure and international shipping. Russia once again demonstrates a complete disregard for international law, creating threats to the safety of navigation, global trade and food security
– Mykola Kalashnik, Telegram
Consequences and Rescue Actions
A fire broke out on board after the strikes; according to preliminary data, seven crew members and a Ukrainian harbor pilot were rescued, two sailors are missing, and a search-and-rescue operation is ongoing.
Kalashnik emphasized that the incident is yet another deliberate strike against civil infrastructure and international shipping, indicating a complete disregard for international law and posing a threat to maritime safety, global trade and food security.
OLSIDZ, one of the largest producers and exporters of vegetable oils and meal, is suspending its operations in the Odessa region due to security threats in the area.
The search for the missing and monitoring of the situation by the relevant authorities continue.
