Russian missile strike on civilian grain ship in Black Sea kills 10
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Editor's note: This story was updated with the latest casualty figures following the Russian attack.
Ten people were killed after a Russian missile strike hit a civilian cargo ship carrying grain in the Black Sea on July 19, according to Ukraine's Sea Ports Authority (USPA).
The vessel, Golden Leo, sailing under the Guinea-Bissau flag and owned by a Turkish company, was leaving Ukraine's maritime corridor with a cargo of grain when it was struck by three Russian Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles, Ukraine's Navy said.
The missiles struck the starboard side of the vessel's superstructure, sparking a fire on board. A search-and-rescue operation continued throughout the night, and the fire was brought under control. Eight people were rescued and taken ashore, while 10 people, including a Ukrainian maritime pilot, were killed, USPA said.
"This is another targeted Russian attack on an unarmed civilian vessel flying a foreign flag that posed no military threat. The attack is an act of terror against peaceful navigation and a gross violation of international humanitarian law," Ukraine's Navy said.
Acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attack, saying it came just hours after Russia's large-scale overnight missile and drone assault on Kyiv.
"While the world is still responding to Russia's brutal overnight attack on Kyiv, Moscow continues its campaign of terror throughout the day," Sybiha wrote on social media.
The ship carried 17 crew members from Syria and India, as well as the Ukrainian pilot.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said it had begun notifying the International Maritime Organization, international partners, and the governments of countries whose citizens were killed or injured.
Following the attack, newly appointed Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said the government, together with the military command, is preparing measures to strengthen maritime security and better protect civilian vessels and seafarers from Russian attacks.
"Russia is committing war crimes and undermining Black Sea security by attacking civilian merchant ships," Koretskyi said on Telegram.
"This is an assault on freedom of navigation and the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."
