Ukraine has accused Russia of using strategic bombers to strike a civilian grain vessel in a missile attack in Black Sea waters near NATO member Romania, escalating tensions between Moscow and the military alliance. The vessel, carrying Ukrainian grain to Egypt, was hit overnight by a Russian missile just after it left Ukrainian territorial waters, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. There were no casualties reported.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, condemned the strike as “a brazen attack on freedom of navigation and global food security”. The Ukrainian navy said Russian Tupolev Tu-22 bombers had fired a number of cruise missiles at the vessel, which was identified as the Aya bulk carrier. The incident marks the first time a missile has struck a civilian vessel transporting grains at sea since the start of Moscow’s invasion in February 2022.
The strike comes as Zelenskiy has been trying to court the Global South, including countries such as Egypt, and convince them to join the West in supporting Ukraine in the war. The incident also comes as NATO allies are considering allowing Ukraine to make deeper strikes into Russia, a step Moscow has warned will elicit a response.
The West has accused Iran of a major escalation by supplying ballistic missiles to Russia. British maritime security company Ambrey said the vessel sustained damage to its port side, including a cargo hold and a crane. Ship tracking data showed the vessel’s last reported position was off the Romanian port of Constanta.
Traders said the incident had contributed to stronger wheat prices by adding to concern over tightening supply in the Black Sea export zone. U.S. futures rose as much as 2% to hit a two-month peak.
Zelenskiy posted images showing the twisted metal of a damaged crane and other damage, and wrote on social media: “We are waiting for the world to react. Wheat and food security should never be targets for missiles.”
The incident has sparked international concern, with Romania’s Naval Authority saying the vessel had not been in its territorial waters and that its assistance had not been requested in any way. The Ukrainian navy said the vessel was in Romania’s maritime economic zone, an area that extends beyond its territorial waters.
The strike is a significant escalation in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and has raised concerns about the safety of civilian vessels and the global food supply.
