Daijiworld Media Network - Odesa

Odesa, Jan 13: Russia has launched fresh attacks on two civilian vessels transporting food products in the Black Sea, injuring a crew member and setting one ship ablaze, Ukrainian authorities said on Monday.

Ukraine’s regional development minister Oleksiy Kuleba said an enemy drone struck a Panamanian-flagged tanker that was waiting to enter port to load vegetable oil. “Unfortunately, one crew member was wounded,” he wrote on Telegram, adding that the strike triggered a fire on board the vessel.

In a separate incident, a ship flying the flag of San Marino was attacked while leaving port with a cargo of corn. “This is further proof that Russia is deliberately attacking civilian ships, international trade and maritime safety,” Kuleba said.

Russia has repeatedly targeted ships bound for Ukrainian ports during its nearly four-year-long invasion, a move Kyiv has described as a campaign of “terror” aimed at crippling maritime exports. Moscow has denied targeting civilians, but has warned that any vessel sailing towards Ukrainian ports could be treated as carrying military cargo.

Odesa regional governor Oleg Kiper said both attacks occurred near the Chornomorsk port along Ukraine’s southern coast.