In a rare incident, a civilian cargo ship carrying Ukrainian grain was hit by a Russian anti-ship missile in the Black Sea. The missile strike, reportedly launched by a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber, damaged the bulk carrier MV Aya. Despite sustaining significant damage, the crew on board managed to navigate the ship to the Romanian port of Constanța for repairs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, accusing Russia of targeting civilian shipping to disrupt the country’s vital grain exports. While some suggest the missile strike may have been unintentional, others believe it was a deliberate act outside of Ukraine’s protected shipping corridor.
This incident, violating international law, marks the first time a civilian vessel has been directly hit by a Russian missile during the conflict. With tensions escalating, both Ukraine and Russia have made strategic moves in the Black Sea region, leading to increased risks for civilian ships.
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