A Russian missile attack on a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, docked at the port of Pivdennyi near Odesa, Ukraine, injured four Filipino seafarers on board, along with a port employee. The incident also resulted in one death.

However, in accordance with multiple reports the attack killed a port worker and injured three crew members.

The ship was supposed to carry iron ore to China, Ukrainian vice prime minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said in a post on X (former twitter).

This is the first time a civilian vessel has been hit in this way since the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

According to Philippines department of migrant workers (DMW) statement on Thursday, the Filipino seafarers, the ship’s captain, able seaman, deck cadet, and ship’s electrician (ETR), were at the bridge of the ship when the missile hit.

“Thankfully, they were far enough from the point of impact and suffered non-fatal injuries. They are all out of danger,” DMW reported yesterday.

The Filipino captain, able seaman, and deck cadet suffered minor injuries and are receiving treatment on-board. The ship’s electrician, meanwhile, sustained a fracture on his left hand and is receiving treatment at a local hospital.

The DMW said it has instructed the seafarers’ manning agency and ship owner to provide all the necessary assistance to the injured crew.

“As soon as we received the report of the incident, we instructed their manning agency and ship owner to determine what else can be done for them,” as explained.

The DMW has also facilitated the communication between the seafarers’ families and their employers to keep them abreast of their condition.

Ukrainian vice prime minister Oleksandr Kubrakov also confirmed that a civilian vessel carrying iron ore to China was damaged today. “Unfortunately, one person was killed by Russian missile and three crew members were injured – citizens of the Philippines,” he said.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine Denise Brown has said she is outraged to learn of an attack on a civilian vessel as it was entering the Ukrainian Black Sea Port of Pivdennyi in Odesa, killing a port worker and injuring crew members.

“This happens just a few days after a series of attacks that killed and injured civilians, destroyed grain supplies and damaged a 124-year-old Fine Arts Museum in Odesa, in the south of Ukraine.

“Yesterday’s attack is one of over 30 attacks on Ukrainian port facilities since the termination of the Black Sea Initiative in July. This tragic incident marks the first time civilians are killed and injured on a civilian vessel,” Brown noted.