Ukraine Accuses Russia Of Targeting Grain Ship With Missile In Black Sea

Ukraine has accused Russia of launching a missile attack on a civilian grain ship in the Black Sea near the waters of NATO member Romania.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the vessel that was transporting Ukrainian grain to Egypt was struck just after leaving Ukrainian territorial waters. There were no reported casualties from the incident.

The attack, which took place at 11:02 p.m. local time on September 11, was carried out by Russian Tupolev Tu-22 aircraft firing cruise missiles.

The targeted vessel was identified as the Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged bulk carrier Aya, which sustained port-side damage, according to British maritime security company Ambrey. Ship tracking data revealed that the vessel’s last known position was near the Romanian port of Constanta.

This is the first time a civilian vessel delivering grains at sea has been targeted since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Previously, several vessels had been damaged during Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports where they were docked.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized the strike as an attack on freedom of navigation and global food security.

The United States Ambassador to Ukraine and a United Nations representative also criticized the attack, stating that attacks on civilian ships are prohibited under international law.

The incident occurred as NATO allies were debating whether to allow Ukraine to launch deeper strikes into Russian territory, a move that Moscow has warned would provoke a response. At the same time, Ukraine continues to seek support from nations in the Global South, including Egypt, the grain’s intended destination.

According to industry experts, the attack has resulted in a surge in wheat prices, with US futures rising by 2% to a two-month high. They claim the incident has raised concerns about the security of grain exports from the Black Sea region, a crucial worldwide supply route.

The vessel was in Romania’s maritime economic zone at the time of the attack, but Romanian authorities claim that it was not in their territorial waters and that no assistance had been requested. According to a representative for Ukraine’s navy, the incident occurred near the mouth of the Danube River, which is outside Romanian territory.

International observers have strongly criticized the attack and reiterated the crucial role of protecting civilian ships and agricultural shipments in maintaining global food security.

Due to the ongoing conflict, Ukraine, a key global grain exporter, has experienced major challenges in resuming exports through the Black Sea. Ukraine established its shipping route in August 2023, avoiding Russian-controlled areas to continue grain exports.

Ukrainian officials stated that such attacks on grain and food security should not be accepted, highlighting the continued risks to civilian ships in the Black Sea region.

Reference: Reuters

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