Russia has attacked a civilian vessel near the port of Odesa for the third time: what is known
29 July 03:20
Russian occupation forces have once again attacked a civilian vessel near the port of Odesa. This time, the target was a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier that was anchored in the approaches to the port of Odesa. This is already the third attack on this particular vessel by Russia.
This was reported by the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
What is known about the attack
According to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, the vessel was unloaded and unmanned at the time of the Russian strike.
As a result of the attack, smoke was observed in the area of the wheelhouse. There are no reports of casualties.
The agency emphasized that this is already the third time Russia has attacked this particular civilian vessel.
The USPA reported systematic attacks on the merchant fleet
The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority emphasizes that repeated strikes on the same vessel indicate a targeted threat to civilian shipping.
“Repeated strikes on the same civilian vessel once again demonstrate the nature of Russian attacks: it is not only port infrastructure or cargo that is being targeted, but the civilian merchant fleet itself,” the USPA emphasized.
The agency also noted:
“Russia is systematically posing a threat to international shipping in the Black Sea, attempting to disrupt Ukraine’s maritime logistics and undermine the security of commercial transport.”
This is not the first attack on civilian vessels
The USPA recalled that on July 25, Russian forces twice attacked a civilian vessel flying the Palau flag as it was leaving one of the ports in the Odesa region.
At the time, the ship was carrying nearly 2,800 metric tons of corn.
Recently, Russian forces have been regularly striking port infrastructure in the Odesa region, creating additional risks for the operation of the Ukrainian maritime corridor and international trade.
Over 200 civilian vessels attacked
According to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, Russia has been systematically attacking Ukraine’s maritime infrastructure since the start of the full-scale invasion.
As of today, as a result of Russian strikes:
- 264 civilians have been injured;
- over 960 port infrastructure facilities have been damaged or destroyed;
- over 200 civilian vessels have been attacked.
The Ukrainian side emphasizes that such actions pose a threat not only to Ukraine but also to international merchant shipping in the Black Sea.
