Russian Missile Attack Damages 2 Civilian Vessels & A Grain Storage Facility, 1 Dead

A Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s Black Sea Port of Odesa killed one person and injured at least eight others on October 14, 2024, per Ukrainian authorities.

The authorities said that the attack targeted the region’s crucial port infrastructure, damaging two civilian vessels and a grain storage facility.

One of the damaged vessels was the Palau-flagged bulk carrier Optima, which had already been hit in a similar attack last week, the Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba reported on Telegram.

The latest incident also damaged a civilian vessel flying the Belize flag. Per the regional governor of Odesa, Oleh Kiper, all of the victims were civilians, with two people seriously injured.

Russian forces have carried out over 60 attacks on southern ports in the last three months, per Kuleba. These attacks have led to the destruction or damage of over 300 port facilities and 22 civilian vessels.

The Ukrainian government blames the attack on Russia for damaging Ukraine’s economy by targeting its export infrastructure, particularly in the agricultural sector.

The escalation of attacks on the vessels has increased insurance costs for ships passing through the Black Sea.

Since October 6, four vessels have been damaged in Russian missile strikes, which has risked the civilian maritime operations in the region.

The recent surge in attacks has caused severe casualties.

Per the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission, five separate attacks in Odesa and surrounding areas have killed 14 civilians and injured 28 others since last Monday.

Officials accuse Russia of intentionally targeting civilian ships flying flags of smaller nations that are less likely to retaliate.

Ukrainian officials report that recent attacks have targeted Palau and Saint Kitts & Nevis vessels.

The European Commission has condemned these attacks, with its spokesperson, Peter Stano, accusing Russia of weaponizing food shipments and violating international law.

Since the start of the invasion in February 2022, Ukraine’s port infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted. Over 300 facilities have been damaged or destroyed, risking Ukraine’s ability to export grain, a key source of revenue.

Deputy Prime Minister Kuleba said that the damage extends beyond infrastructure, affecting port workers, logistics employees and ship crew members, with 79 civilians injured in recent months.

The continuous attacks have seriously affected Ukraine’s grain exports, a crucial global food supply chain component.

Reference: Reuters, NYTimes

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