Ukraine accused Russia on Thursday of using strategic bombers to attack a civilian bulk carrier with missiles in Black Sea, near NATO member Romania. The incident further raised tensions between Moscow and the Western military alliance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the ship, carrying grain from Ukraine to Egypt, was hit overnight by a Russian missile shortly after leaving Ukrainian territorial waters. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
International reactions to the attack in the Black Sea
The US ambassador to Ukraine strongly condemned the attack, placing direct responsibility on Russia. A UN spokesman also called the incident a “stark reminder” of the threats civilian vessels still face in the Black Sea.
So far, there has been no official comment from Russia.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the attack as “a brazen act against freedom of navigation and global food security.” The Ukrainian Navy reported that Russian Tupolev Tu-22 bombers launched several cruise missiles at 11:02 p.m. local time (2002 GMT) on Wednesday.
This is the first recorded attack on a civilian ship carrying grain at sea since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Until then, Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports have damaged some ships.
Zelenskiy seeks international support amid escalating attacks
The attack comes as Zelenskiy seeks support from countries in the Global South, such as Egypt, and tries to convince them to support Ukraine in the conflict. Egypt was the destination for the grain, according to Ukrainian officials.
The incident coincides with discussions among NATO allies about allowing Ukraine to launch strikes deeper into Russian territory. Moscow has warned that such actions would provoke a response. In addition, the West accuses Iran of contributing to the escalation of the conflict by supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.
British maritime security firm Ambrey said the stricken bulk carrier, flagged for St. Kitts and Nevis, suffered damage to its port side after being hit by a Russian missile shortly after leaving the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk in the Odessa region. The damage included a cargo hold and a crane.
The Ukrainian Navy identified the vessel as the bulk carrier Aya.
US Ambassador Bridget Brink expressed her condemnation on X (formerly Twitter), saying Russia's attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea was a "flagrant violation of international law" and posed a threat to global food security.
UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stressed that attacks on civilian vessels and port infrastructure are prohibited under international law and must be stopped. He also stressed the importance of ensuring the security of agricultural exports through the Black Sea, which are essential for the stability of global food prices.
Meanwhile, ship tracking data indicated the vessel’s last known position was near the Romanian port of Constanta. The ship’s management company, VRS Maritime Services, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Impact on wheat prices
In addition, market experts reported that the attack significantly contributed to the rise in wheat prices, mainly due to fears of export restrictions in the Black Sea region. As a result, US wheat futures rose to 2%, reaching the highest peak in the last two months.
Zelenskiy later shared images on social media showing damage to the crane and other equipment on the ship.
Industry sources told Reuters the attack occurred near the mouth of the Danube River. Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk confirmed the ship was in Romania's maritime economic zone. However, Romania's Naval Authority said the ship was not in its territorial waters and no one had requested assistance.
Zelenskiy stated on X: “Wheat and food security should never be targets of missiles.”
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine, one of the world’s largest grain exporters, has faced challenges in resuming its maritime exports. In August 2023, Ukraine established its own shipping corridor without Russian approval, using naval drones and long-range weapons to drive away the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
This maritime corridor runs along the western coast of the Black Sea, skirting Ukrainian waters and passing through Romania and Bulgaria.
Source: Notícias Agrícolas
