An international cargo ship has sunk in the Black Sea off the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, going under on Sunday — exactly one week after Ukrainian officials say it was struck by Russian forces.
Ukraine’s ports authority confirmed the vessel, named the Golden Leo and sailing under a Guinea-Bissau flag, went down near the port. According to an official statement, nine crew members died as a result of the attack, while eight others were safely evacuated.
The ship had departed from the port of Chornomorsk carrying a load of corn when Russian forces allegedly shelled it on July 19. At the time of the strike, the vessel was traveling through a coastal shipping corridor managed by Ukraine, heading in the direction of Romania.
Ukraine’s ports authority stated that Russia’s actions against the ship “violated the norms of international maritime law” and put the lives of those on board in serious danger.
A Reuters journalist present in Odesa on the day of the attack reported seeing thick smoke rising from a large vessel offshore. Russia has made no public statement regarding the incident.
The attack is part of a broader pattern of escalating Russian strikes on deepwater ports in southern Ukraine — facilities that handle large volumes of the country’s grain and other vital cargo shipments. The conflict is now in its fifth year.
