A grain ship sinks near Odesa days after suffering major damage in a Russian missile attack, according to Ukraine’s Sea Ports Authority. The strike on the Golden Leo killed 10 people and renewed concerns about Black Sea shipping, grain exports and global food security.
Odesa ship attack damages Golden Leo
The civilian cargo vessel Golden Leo sank in the Black Sea after being struck near Odesa on July 19, Ukraine’s Sea Ports Authority said in an official statement.
According to the authority, the ship suffered extensive damage to its hull and superstructure during the attack. Images circulated on social media appeared to show the damaged vessel shortly before it went beneath the water.
The ship was sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau and was owned by a Turkish company. It was reportedly leaving Ukraine’s maritime corridor with a cargo of grain when three Kh-59 or Kh-69 cruise missiles struck the vessel’s starboard side.
The impact caused a fire aboard the cargo ship and severely damaged its superstructure. Emergency teams worked through the night to control the flames and conduct a search-and-rescue operation.
Ukraine ports authority confirms casualties
Ukraine’s Sea Ports Authority said eight crew members were rescued and evacuated following the Russian missile strike. However, nine crew members and a Ukrainian maritime pilot were killed.
The authority initially reported that 10 people had died in the attack. It later clarified that no crew members were aboard when the damaged vessel eventually sank.
The International Maritime Organization and the ship’s owner were informed about the sinking, the ports authority said. Officials did not immediately provide details about the quantity of grain aboard the vessel or the possible environmental effects of the wreck.
Black Sea strike raises maritime safety fears
Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of deliberately attacking civilian commercial shipping and endangering seafarers operating in the Black Sea.
Ukraine’s Sea Ports Authority said attacks on commercial vessels violate international maritime law and undermine the principle of freedom of navigation. It warned that such strikes could disrupt international maritime transport and threaten global food security.
Odesa Regional Governor Oleh Kiper also condemned the attack. He said the targeting of civilian ships demonstrated a deliberate attempt to endanger human life and weaken the safety of maritime transport.
Russia had not publicly responded to the specific Ukrainian allegations described in the ports authority’s statement at the time of the announcement.
Grain exports face growing security risks
The Golden Leo attack was not the first recent strike involving a civilian vessel near Odesa. Ukrainian officials said a Togolese-flagged cargo ship was hit on July 13 while unloading mineral fertilisers at the port.
That attack reportedly killed five people and injured 10 others. Ukrainian authorities blamed Russia for the strike and said the repeated incidents showed growing risks for ships, port workers and commercial operators.
Ukraine’s Black Sea maritime corridor remains important for exporting grain and other agricultural products to international markets. Continued attacks near Odesa could increase insurance costs, discourage shipping companies and delay food shipments to countries that rely heavily on Ukrainian exports.
The sinking of the Golden Leo adds to concerns that civilian shipping is becoming increasingly exposed to the wider conflict. Ukrainian officials are calling for stronger international action to protect commercial vessels, maintain freedom of navigation and prevent further disruption to global grain supplies.
