Russia strikes Liberia-flagged civilian vessel in Black Sea for third time
A Liberia-flagged civilian vessel anchored in the Black Sea has been damaged in what Ukrainian officials described as its third Russian attack, raising renewed concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the region.
Odesa Regional Military Administration head Oleh Kiper said the vessel, which was anchored without a crew or cargo on board, was struck during what he called another Russian attack in the Black Sea, News.Az reports, citing RBC-Ukraine.
According to Kiper, the ship had already sustained damage in two previous attacks. Following the latest strike, smoke was seen rising from the vessel as authorities began assessing the extent of the damage.
“These strikes once again demonstrate Russia’s deliberate disregard for international law and its targeted attempts to disrupt the operation of Ukraine’s maritime corridor,” Kiper said.
The reported attack comes one day after the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss Russian strikes on civilian vessels operating in the Black Sea and their potential impact on global food security.
Ukraine’s acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has accused Russia of attempting to destabilize the Black Sea by deliberately targeting commercial shipping. Ukrainian officials also say repeated attacks on port infrastructure and foreign-flagged merchant vessels have significantly disrupted the country’s maritime exports.
Russia has not publicly commented on the reported strike. Moscow has previously said its military operations target infrastructure linked to Ukraine’s war effort, while Ukraine maintains that civilian vessels and port facilities have increasingly come under attack.
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