UN: Civilian Deaths, Injuries Up 37% in Ukraine War; Ship Attacked in Black Sea

Civilian casualties in the war between Russia and Ukraine have surged by 37 percent in the first half of this year, the United Nations announced Tuesday. Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, reported that 1,396 civilians were killed and 7,978 injured during this period, marking a significant rise compared to the previous year.

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We documented 1,396 civilians killed (and) 7,978 injured... that amounts to a 37 percent increase from the same period in the previous year.

Adding to the conflict's toll, a ship carrying propane was struck Tuesday in the Black Sea, approximately 20 nautical miles off the Romanian coast. The LPG tanker Gas Lisbon, flying the Liberian flag, was hit outside Romanian territorial waters. The attack forced the evacuation of the ship's 17 crew members, with three requiring emergency medical care.

Romanian President Nicusor Dan stated on X that the incident was "most likely part of the Russian Federation's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine." While authorities were still investigating, Dan pointed to Russia as the probable perpetrator. The strike ignited a major fire on board the vessel, which was transporting over 3,790 tons of propane from Egypt's port of Alexandria.

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Last night, the LPG tanker Gas Lisbon, flying the Liberian flag, was struck outside Romanian territorial waters, approximately 20 nautical miles off the Romanian coast.

The Black Sea has remained a frequent site of confrontation since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. The recent attack on the tanker underscores the ongoing risks and dangers present in the region, impacting maritime traffic and civilian lives.

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most likely part of the Russian Federation's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.