By Stephen Simon
At least 10 people were killed after a Russian missile struck a cargo ship carrying corn near Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa, in one of the deadliest attacks on commercial shipping in the region in recent weeks, Ukrainian authorities said.
According to Ukrainian officials, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel, Golden Leo, was hit by three cruise missiles while operating near the port on Sunday. The attack triggered a major fire, leaving nine crew members and a Ukrainian maritime pilot dead, while eight other crew members were rescued after an overnight search operation.
The vessel, owned by an Indian shipping company and crewed by nationals from India and Syria, was transporting corn for export when it came under attack. There was no immediate response from Russian authorities regarding the reported strike.
The latest incident underscores renewed fighting in the Black Sea, a vital shipping corridor for grain exports. Although maritime traffic resumed following earlier agreements aimed at easing disruptions to global food supplies, both Russia and Ukraine have recently intensified attacks on strategic ports, shipping routes and energy infrastructure.
Analysts warn that the escalation could further disrupt global grain supplies and increase pressure on international food prices. Ukraine remains one of the world’s leading exporters of wheat and corn, while Russia is also a major supplier of agricultural commodities to global markets.
The attack comes amid continued hostilities between the two countries, with both sides targeting key economic assets in an effort to weaken each other’s wartime capabilities. The renewed violence has raised fresh concerns over the security of commercial shipping in the Black Sea and the stability of global agricultural supply chains.
International observers have expressed concern over the growing risks facing civilian vessels operating in the region, urging all parties to respect international maritime law and ensure the safety of commercial shipping. The latest strike is expected to heighten calls for stronger international efforts to protect critical trade routes and prevent further disruption to global food security.
