The Ukrainian Navy said Russian forces launched a missile strike on the civilian bulk carrier Golden Leo, which was transporting grain. According to the Ukrainian side, the vessel was sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau and was owned by a Turkish company.
Ukrainian military officials said the ship was leaving the combat zone with cargo on board when it was attacked. The Navy did not specify the exact location. From the context, the strike may have occurred near one of the ports in the Odesa region, which have been hit repeatedly in recent times.
According to the Ukrainian account, the strike hit the starboard side of the vessel, causing a fire to break out on board. Five people were killed. The fate of five other crew members remained unknown at the time of the report, and a search was underway. Another eight sailors were evacuated and taken to a hospital in Odesa.
Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of deliberately targeting a civilian ship. As of publication, the Russian side had not commented on the Ukrainian Navy’s statement.
Shortly before that statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said Russian drones had attacked two bulk carriers in the roadstead of the Port of Odesa, as well as two more bulk carriers and a dry cargo ship near Snake Island. The ministry claimed the vessels were carrying military cargo or were being used to launch drones.