A Russian ballistic missile attack on Ukraine’s southern Odesa region on 9 October targeted port infrastructure, killing six people and injuring eight.
According to a statement by Odesa Regional Governor Oleh Kiper, as reported by Reuters, the injured were all Ukrainian nationals, with four in serious condition. The attack also damaged a Panamanian-flagged container ship, the Shui Spirit. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba also highlighted Russia’s efforts to disrupt Ukraine’s grain corridor.
Reuters further reported that this strike on the port of Chornomorsk was the third in the Odesa region in the last four days. Earlier, a Russian missile hit a Palau-flagged vessel in Odesa port on Monday, killing one Ukrainian and injuring five foreign nationals, while another missile on Sunday damaged a Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged vessel in Pivdennyi port.
After Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative deal allowing ships to safely carry cargo from Ukrainian ports, vessels have been using an alternate route along Ukraine’s Black Sea coast through Romanian waters.