Ukraine Accuses Russia of Striking Cargo Ship in Black Sea

On Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine reported a troubling incident in the Black Sea, where a Russian missile allegedly struck a cargo ship that was en route to Egypt, carrying a valuable load of wheat. Notably, a Ukrainian military spokesperson indicated that this attack occurred within the waters of Romania, raising significant concerns over maritime safety in the region.

If verified, this would mark a significant escalation, as it represents the first direct assault on a civilian vessel in open waters since Ukraine implemented its new maritime export route last year, a crucial lifeline for its agricultural products.

President Zelensky took to social media to share details of the incident, noting that fortunately, there were no reported casualties resulting from the attack, which he stated transpired overnight. However, he refrained from elaborating on the extent of the damage inflicted on the vessel.

As of now, there has been no independent confirmation of these claims, and notably, Russia’s defense ministry has yet to address the incident on its official Telegram channel.

In a telephone interview, Captain Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern command, elaborated that the cargo ship was struck by a missile launched from a Russian military aircraft while it was positioned in “the exclusive economic zone waters of Romania.” He clarified that the vessel was not navigating within the designated grain corridor of Ukraine, thus raising questions about the legality of the attack.

It is important to note that an assault in the exclusive economic zone of Romania—a NATO member—does not equate to an attack on sovereign territory according to international law. This zone allows a nation to regulate economic activities, such as oil drilling and fishing, rather than extending full territorial rights.