Russian troops launched a ballistic missile attack on Odesa’s port infrastructure, hitting a civilian vessel, killing 1 person and injuring 5 people, reported Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Community Development and Territories of Ukraine, Oleksii Kuleba on October 7.
The vessel, hit by Russian strike, is a OPTIMA, flying under the flag of Palau.
According to Kuleba, the vessel had just arrived at the port on October 7 for loading and was immediately targeted by Russian missiles. “In two days, the enemy damaged two ships that were set to transport cargo from Ukraine. This is a deliberate tactic of intimidation and obstruction of Ukraine’s maritime corridor. Russia is once again attempts to disrupt navigation in the Black Sea and undermine Ukraine’s efforts to ensure global food security,” Kuleba wrote on Telegram.
Odesa’s regional governor, Oleh Kiper, later confirmed that the fatality was a 60-year-old Ukrainian who worked for a private cargo handling company. The injured individuals were reported to be foreigners. “Four of them are in moderate condition, and one is in a light condition. They are receiving all the necessary medical care,” Kiper added.
Earlier, Russian military targeted the Pivdennyi port in Odesa region, damaging the civilian ship PARESA, registered under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis. All 15 crew members, citizens of Egypt and Syria, were unharmed in the attack.
