Ukraine reported on Friday that Russian forces struck two cargo ships off its southern coast in the Black Sea, resulting in the death of a Syrian crew member aboard one of the vessels.
According to Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba, one ship was on its way to load grain in the southern port of Chornomorsk, while the other was attacked near the port of Odesa while carrying soybeans. “Unfortunately, the attack resulted in the death of a crew member, a Syrian citizen,” Kuleba stated in a message posted on Telegram.
Kuleba condemned the incident, describing it as another instance of Russia’s deliberate targeting of civilian objects, international shipping, and food logistics. This incident adds to a growing list of accusations from Kyiv, which has repeatedly alleged that Moscow has attacked cargo vessels that are vital for transporting food products to and from Ukraine.
In a related context, Ukraine had previously blamed Russia for assaults on two Turkish cargo ferries last month—one was carrying sunflower oil, while the other was laden with fresh fruits, vegetables, and various food supplies. The escalating violence in the region has prompted Turkey to issue warnings about a “worrying escalation” in Black Sea activities.
Amid heightened tensions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had engaged in face-to-face discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in December, during which he advocated for a “limited ceasefire” concerning attacks on ports and energy infrastructures within the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The situation remains precarious, with both nations’ maritime activities under increasing scrutiny as hostilities continue.
