Russian strikes on Turkish cargo ship kill five: Kyiv

Russian missile strikes on a Turkish-owned cargo ship have resulted in the deaths of five individuals, with another five crew members still missing, according to Ukraine's navy.

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This is yet another deliberate strike by Russia against an unarmed civilian vessel flying a foreign flag that posed no military threat whatsoever.

The vessel, identified as the Golden Leo and flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, was struck by three cruise missiles as it was departing a combat zone carrying a cargo of grain. The Ukrainian navy issued a statement calling the attack "another deliberate strike by Russia against an unarmed civilian vessel flying a foreign flag that posed no military threat whatsoever."

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga characterized the incident as an "act of terrorism against peaceful navigation and a gross violation of international humanitarian law." He noted that the crew included citizens of Syria and India, and that a Ukrainian maritime pilot was among the deceased. The attack occurred on the same day Russia launched two dozen ballistic missiles at Kyiv, killing one person and injuring 16.

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The attack constitutes an act of terrorism against peaceful navigation and a gross violation of international humanitarian law.

This incident highlights the ongoing risks to civilian shipping in the Black Sea region. Russia's armed forces have frequently targeted Ukraine's port infrastructure, particularly in the Odesa region. Ukraine has, in turn, increased its strikes on shipping in the Sea of Azov, a key maritime route for Russian agricultural exports and a supply line for Crimea.

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While the world is still responding to Russia's brutal overnight attack on Kyiv, Moscow continues its campaign of terror throughout the day.