Ukraine says Russian forces hit civilian vessel during attack on Odesa port, killing one person

Russian forces carried out a missile strike on one of the ports in the Odesa region, hitting a civilian vessel sailing under the flag of Liberia, reports Ukraine’s Operational Command South.

“The missile hit the superstructure of a civilian ship sailing under the flag of Liberia while it was entering the port. Three crew members — citizens of the Philippines — were injured, one of whom was hospitalized. One maritime pilot was killed, and one port worker was injured,” read the command’s statement.

Ukraine’s Armed Forces claim that Russian forces struck the port with a Kh-31P anti-radar missile launched from tactical aircraft in the Black Sea.

The command published photographs of the strike’s aftermath.

Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov clarified that the damaged ship was supposed to carry iron ore to China and confirmed the information about casualties. Kubrakov said this is the 21st time Russia has attacked ports in the Odesa region since Russia withdrew from the grain deal in July.

Meduza cannot immediately verify these claims.

Neither the Odesa regional administration nor Russian authorities have commented on the strike.