Russian strike on cargo ship in Ukraine’s Odesa region kills captain, say authorities

A Russian strike on a cargo ship sailing off the coast of Odesa, Ukraine, resulted in the death of the ship's captain, Ukrainian authorities announced. The vessel, registered under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, was targeted in an attack that coincides with the ongoing fifth year of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Oleg Kiper, the head of the Odesa region, confirmed that the captain was a Ukrainian national who perished in the assault.

According to the Ukrainian Sea Port Authority, the ship was underway in the Black Sea when it fell victim to enemy fire. In recent months, there has been a surge in attacks on commercial vessels as both sides aim to disrupt each other's export revenues. The Ukrainian Sea Port Authority reported that at least 226 civilian and commercial ships have been hit in the Black Sea since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Over 70% of these attacks, numbering 163, occurred within the first eight months of the current year. Despite Turkey's proposal aimed at halting strikes on civilian ships, Russia and Ukraine have not taken any action to implement the suggested resolution.