On July 19, Russian forces launched a missile strike on a civilian cargo ship carrying corn in the Black Sea off the coast of the Odesa region. The Administration of Seaports of Ukraine said on the morning of July 20 that 10 people were killed.
There were 17 crew members on board — citizens of Syria and India — as well as a Ukrainian pilot. According to the Ukrainian side, the pilot was among those killed.
The Ukrainian Navy said the vessel was sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau. According to the navy, Russian forces fired three Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles at it.
Ukrainian agencies described the targeted vessel as civilian. The available information says it was transporting corn and was in the Black Sea near the Odesa region when it was struck.