Five crew killed in Black Sea ship attack; Ukraine blames Russia

A cargo ship carrying corn was struck in the Black Sea off the coast of Odesa, resulting in the deaths of at least five crew members. Eight others were rescued, and five remain missing. The Ukrainian navy asserts that Russian missiles hit the vessel, which was flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau.

The ship departed from port loaded with corn and carried 17 sailors from India and Syria, along with one Ukrainian national, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky. Moscow has not yet issued a statement regarding the attack.

"This is a civilian ship, an international crew, and a route important for global food supply security," stated Andriy Sibyha, acting Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, on social media platform X. Russia has recently escalated attacks on major Ukrainian ports in the south, through which a significant portion of grain and other vital cargo is exported.

Wheat prices had already surged on the stock exchange about 10 days prior when Ukraine conducted attacks on strategically important ports in the Sea of Azov, causing a temporary halt to maritime traffic.