A Ukrainian grain vessel in the Black Sea carrying wheat to Egypt was struck by a Russian missile, World Grain reported Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as saying in a social media post on X.
Russia fired a missile at the vessel on 12 September, the report on the same date said.
At the time of the report, Zelenskiy said there had been no casualties.
When struck, Zelenskiy said the vessel was outside Ukrainian territorial waters.
Writing on X, Zelenskiy said: “Wheat and food security should never be targets for missiles.”
An industry source told Reuters the grain vessel was hit in Romanian waters near the mouth of the Danube River in the Black Sea.
The US ambassador to Ukraine “strongly condemned” the attack and said Russia was responsible, Reuters wrote on 12 September.
A UN spokesperson was quoted as saying the incident was a “stark reminder” of the threats still faced in the Black Sea by civilian vessels.
There was no immediate comment from Russia.
It was the first time a missile had struck a civilian vessel transporting grains at sea since the start of Moscow’s invasion in February 2022 although some vessels had been damaged during Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports where they were moored, Reuters wrote.
The strike coincided with discussion over whether NATO allies would allow Ukraine to make deeper strikes into Russia, a step Moscow had warned would provoke a response, the report said.
In a note, British maritime security company Ambrey said a Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged bulk carrier had been struck by a Russian-launched missile after leaving the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk in Ukraine’s Odessa region.
The vessel sustained damage to its port side, including a cargo hold and a crane, the company said.
The Navy identified the vessel as the Aya bulk carrier.
US Ambassador Bridget Brink wrote on X: “We strongly condemn Russia’s attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Black Sea. This escalatory attack is a … violation of international law that threatens global food security.”
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said attacks on civilian vessels and port infrastructure were prohibited under international law.
“Ensuring the safety and sustainability of agricultural exports passing through the Black Sea remains critical for supporting global food security and keeping global prices under control,” Dujarric was quoted as saying.
Ship tracking data showed the vessel’s last reported position was off the Romanian port of Constanta.
At the time of the report, the vessel’s Athens-based manager, VRS Maritime Services, could not be reached for comment.
