Russia has attacked a Liberian-flagged cargo ship at one of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports in the Odesa region, killing one person and injuring three others, according to Ukraine’s Sea Ports Administration. The attack struck the vessel while it was in port, underscoring the continuing danger facing commercial shipping in the Black Sea as Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its fifth year.
Ukraine’s Sea Ports Administration said in a statement posted on Telegram on Saturday that 13 other members of the crew were evacuated and taken to safety following the attack. The injured crew members were receiving medical attention, while emergency and port authorities worked at the scene, the administration said.
The circumstances of the attack and the extent of damage to the vessel were not immediately clear. The incident adds to mounting concerns over the security of commercial shipping using Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, which remain vital to the country’s economy and international trade.
Odesa and nearby ports have continued to handle exports despite repeated Russian missile and drone attacks on port infrastructure, warehouses, ships and surrounding facilities. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of deliberately targeting infrastructure critical to its export economy, while Moscow has denied deliberately attacking civilian targets.
Independent verification of the latest incident was not immediately available. The Black Sea has become a major front in the wider economic dimension of the war. Ukraine relies heavily on maritime routes to export agricultural products, metals and other commodities to international markets.
Disruptions to shipping have repeatedly increased insurance and transport costs, complicated supply chains and threatened the flow of Ukrainian exports.