Berlin, July 19, 2026
During the shelling of a civilian grain freighter with cruise missiles in the Black Sea region off Odessa, at least five crew members were killed, as the Ukrainian Navy reported.
Background: Attack in the Combat Zone
According to the Ukrainian Naval Forces, the attack occurred in the Black Sea region off Odessa. A fire broke out on board, as a result of which at least five crew members died, it was said. Eight crew members were taken to a hospital in the port city of Odessa. Five additional crew members are still missing, the Naval Forces reported. The search for them is ongoing.
Ukraine held Russia responsible for the attack on the ship sailing under the flag of the West African state of Guinea-Bissau. The Ukrainian Navy accused Russia of once again attacking an unarmed civilian ship under a foreign flag. It had posed no military threat, it was said.