Ukraine: Russian attack on a merchant ship in the Black Sea

Russia launched an overnight strike on an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged merchant vessel in the Black Sea port of Odesa, resulting in the death of its Ukrainian captain. The attack also damaged civilian infrastructure, including warehouses containing food and medical supplies, while the ship's crew had to be evacuated. This incident is part of an intensifying pattern of Russian strikes that have severely disrupted Ukrainian maritime exports. According to Turkish data, 226 commercial vessels have been hit since the 2022 invasion, with a significant surge in attacks occurring this year.