Russian Ballistic Missile Strike Hits Grain Ship in Odesa, Killing Four People

A Russian ballistic missile struck the bulk carrier MJ Pinar while it was docked at the Odesa port, killing four crew members, including three Syrian nationals, Ukrainian media outlet Militarny reported on March 12.

The Barbados-flagged vessel was preparing to depart for Algeria, loaded with 30,000 tons of wheat when the missile hit. The attack ignited a fire on board and caused severe damage from shrapnel.

A fifth crew member sustained serious injuries, though his condition remains unclear.

Despite the deaths of Syrian citizens in the strike, Damascus has yet to issue any official response.

Earlier, reports emerged that Ukraine’s agricultural exports in 2024 reached $24.5 billion, a figure comparable to the pre-war period and amounting to 59% of the country’s total exports.

This marks the second-highest agricultural export record in the country’s history, following 2021, when exports totaled $27.7 billion.

Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitalii Koval said Ukraine exported 78.3 million tons of agricultural products last year.