Ukraine has accused Russia of striking a civilian cargo vessel carrying grain in the Black Sea, saying the attack killed six crew members and left four others missing.
According to the Ukrainian Navy, the Turkish-owned dry cargo ship GOLDEN LEO, sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau, was hit by three Russian Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles while departing the combat zone with a cargo of grain, Ukrainian media reports.
Ukrainian authorities said one of the missiles struck the starboard side of the vessel's superstructure, triggering a fire on board. The ship was carrying a crew of 17 Syrian and Indian nationals, along with a Ukrainian maritime pilot.
Officials said six people were killed in the strike, while the fate of four other crew members remains unknown. Search and rescue operations were continuing at the time of reporting.
The Ukrainian Navy and the country's Maritime Search and Rescue Service were deployed to assist the vessel. Eight crew members were evacuated and transported to a hospital in the southern port city of Odesa for medical treatment.
By Sabina Mammadli
