Two vessels, one containership and one bulk carrier, were damaged in what has been reported as a Russian missile strike on the port of Odesa, Ukraine’s Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories informed on March 1.
According to the ministry, Russian forces launched a missile strike at Odesa, damaging port infrastructure and two vessels, and injuring two port workers.
The damaged vessels include the Panamanian-flagged containership MSC Levante F, owned by a leading European company, and a bulk carrier sailing under the flag of Sierra Leone, carrying over 21,000 tonnes of corn and soybeans for export.
The authorities confirmed the attack, stating that “two port workers were injured.” The injured have received medical assistance.
The extent of the damage to the two ships has not been reported.
According to the ministry, this marks the 29th civilian ship that has been damaged by Russian attacks.
“Despite enemy shelling, the Ukrainian maritime food corridor remains operational. 106 million tonnes of cargo have already been processed, of which almost 70 million tonnes are grain. Four thousand ships delivered our agricultural products to the countries of Africa, Asia and Europe,” stated the Ukrainian deputy prime minister for restoration of Ukraine-minister for communities and territories development, Oleksii Kuleba.
Kuleba reiterated Ukraine’s call for enhanced protection against Russian strikes, emphasising the country’s role as “a reliable guarantor of food security for many countries of the world.”
