Russian Strike on Odesa Port Hits Ship With Humanitarian Aid for Palestine, Kills 9 People and Injures at Least 11

Russian missile strike on Odesa region killed 9 people and injured 11, hitting a civilian cargo ship carrying humanitarian aid for Palestine, reported Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Vitaliy Koval on October 10.

The Panama-flagged vessel was transporting 45 containers of packaged sunflower oil, meant to be part of a humanitarian aid shipment organized by the UN.

The ship and its cargo sustained significant damage, marking the third Russian attack on a civilian vessel in Odesa region in just four days.

“Even amidst war, Ukraine supplies food for 400 million people all over the globe,” said Koval, highlighting the critical role Ukraine plays in global food security.

Koval also pointed to the need for supplying Ukraine with enhanced air defense systems, stating that “protecting Ukraine’s food supply is key to ensuring the world’s food security.”

Despite Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian seaports, which began with its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine independently resumed its sea exports, with the Armed Forces guaranteeing the safety of the temporary sea route from the ports of Odesa.

Earlier, Russian troops launched a ballistic missile attack on Odesa’s port infrastructure, hitting a civilian vessel, killing 1 person and injuring 5 people.