A Russian missile struck a Palau-flagged vessel in the Ukrainian port of Odesa, killing one Ukrainian and injuring five foreign nationals.
This was the second such attack on a ship in two days, with a previous Russian missile hitting a Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged vessel, Paresa, loaded with corn at the port of Pivdennyi. While the Paresa crew was unharmed, the missile caused significant damage to the vessel.
These attacks are seen as part of Russia’s ongoing campaign to disrupt Ukraine’s maritime grain export routes in the Black Sea, a critical source of income for Ukraine. Russia frequently targets Ukraine’s grain infrastructure, forcing traders to seek more expensive alternative routes.
Despite the damage, Pivdennyi port continued normal operations, and Ukraine’s export volumes have remained relatively steady.
