KYIV: Ukraine accused Russia on Thursday (Sep 12) of utilizing strategic bombers to hit a civilian grain vessel with a missile within the Black Sea in NATO member Romania’s maritime financial zone, in what it described as a “brazen assault” on freedom of navigation.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the vessel carrying Ukrainian grain to Egypt had been hit by a Russian missile simply after it exited Ukrainian territorial waters, and that there have been no casualties in accordance with a preliminary evaluation.
There was no speedy remark from Russia.
If confirmed, the incident would mark a pointy improve in tensions between Moscow and the NATO army alliance, which has tried to tack a course between fears of escalation and supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia since Moscow’s invasion in February 2022.
British maritime safety firm Ambrey mentioned in a observe {that a} Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged bulk provider had been struck by a Russian-launched missile after departing from the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk in Ukraine’s Odesa area.
The vessel sustained injury to its port aspect, together with a cargo maintain and a crane, it mentioned.
