November 9 ------ A Russian missile damaged a Liberia-flagged civilian vessel entering a Black Sea port in Odesa region, killing one and injuring four people including three Filipinos, Ukrainian officials said. After pulling out of the U.N.-brokered deal that guaranteed safe shipments of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea, Russia has been repeatedly attacking Ukrainian port infrastructure. “The missile hit the superstructure of a civilian vessel under the flag of Liberia, at the moment of its entry into the port,” Ukraine’s southern military command said on Telegram messenger.
It added that one person was killed, three crew members, citizens of the Philippines, and one port employee were injured. The vessel was supposed to transport iron ore to China, Ukraine Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said. “During this time, the country damaged more than 160 infrastructure facilities and 122 vehicles,” he said on Facebook. Yoruk Isik, head of the Bosphorus Observer consultancy, identified the vessel as Kmax Ruler, 92,000 dwt. He told Reuters the ship had been in the port of Pivdennyi loading iron when it was hit. The Ukrainian pilot on board was killed and “a few” crew members were dead or injured, he said.
The export deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey collapsed in July as Russia denounced its provisions, saying its demands for sanctions be lifted on its grain and fertilizer exports had not been met. Kyiv has since opened what it says is a temporary humanitarian corridor in a bid to break Russia’s de facto blockade.
Source: inquirer.net
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