Russian Strike on Grain Ship Near Odesa Kills 10

The death toll from a Russian missile strike on a Guinea-Bissau-flagged merchant ship carrying grain near the Ukrainian port of Odesa has risen to 10, according to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority.

“The search and rescue operation continued throughout the night. The fire on board the vessel has been contained. Eight crew members were rescued and brought ashore. Sadly, 10 people, including a marine pilot from the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, were killed,” the authority said in a statement.

The cargo vessel had departed a Ukrainian port on July 19 after loading a shipment of corn. A total of 17 crew members, citizens of Syria and India, were on board along with a marine pilot from the Delta-Pilot branch of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority when the attack occurred.

Ukrainian officials said the vessel was struck by Russian missiles while sailing from port, describing it as a civilian ship engaged in commercial grain transport. Authorities characterized the attack as another strike against civilian maritime infrastructure and accused Russia of committing “another war crime.”