There were 22 crew members on board the ship carrying Ukrainian grain that was attacked by Russia.
According to the coast guard, the vessel was in Romania’s exclusive economic zone, 55 kilometers from the city of Sfantu Gheorghe, when the explosion occurred. None of the crew was injured, and the explosion did not affect the vessel’s ability to move, Radio Liberty reports.
Navy spokesman Dmitry Pletenchuk said the vessel was heading to Egypt. Russia used Tu-22 bombers to launch the missiles at about 11 p.m. on September 11.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga called the strike “a brazen attack on freedom of navigation and global food security.”
Ukraine is one of the world’s leading grain producers and exporters, shipping around four million tons of grain monthly via the Black Sea Corridor.
Russian missile against a cargo of wheat for Egypt. Today’s strike in the Black Sea on an ordinary civilian vessel immediately after leaving Ukrainian territorial waters. According to preliminary data, fortunately, there were no human casualties.
Ukraine is one of the key global donors of food security. Internal stability and life of dozens of countries in different parts of the world depend on the normal and unimpeded operation of our export food corridor.
Our food supply to Africa and the Middle East is critical. We will continue to do everything to protect our ports, our Black Sea, and our food supply to the global market. This is a real priority for Ukraine – protecting life, and this should be a priority for every country.
We are waiting for the world’s reaction. Wheat and food security should never be a target for missiles, – said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
December wheat futures rose 2.2% after Ukraine said a Russian missile hit a grain carrier in the Black Sea just as it left Ukrainian territorial waters, Bloomberg reports.
The agency notes that price fluctuations in grain markets due to events in the Black Sea were typical in 2022.
Russia’s attack on a grain carrier today comes amid low wheat harvests in leading producing countries and an expected supply cut by exporters.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.