In what Ukraine’s foreign minister called “a brazen attack on freedom of navigation and global food security” on Thursday, Sept. 12, Kyiv accused Moscow of striking a civilian grain vessel in the Black Sea with cruise missiles near Romania. It is reportedly the first time that a missile hit a civilian vessel transporting grains at sea since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, some ships have sustained damage while moored during the war.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the vessel carrying Ukrainian grain to Egypt was struck just after it left the country’s territorial waters on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The ship reportedly sustained heavy damage to its port side, including a cargo hold and crane. However, there are no reports of any deaths or injuries.
Meanwhile, traders said the incident is leading to concerns over a dwindling supply of wheat in the Black Sea export zone and resulted in higher grain prices.
The alleged attack from Russia came as NATO allies, including the United States, are considering allowing Kyiv to launch deeper strikes into Russia.
President Joe Biden is meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday, Sept. 13. The two reportedly plan to discuss the possibility of lifting weapons restrictions on Ukraine. However, Moscow warned if the green light is given to Kyiv, it will respond.
The United States accused Iran on Tuesday of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia. Those claims appeared to be correct on Wednesday after satellite imagery showed a Russian ship carrying Iranian ballistic missiles on Sept. 4. The revelations have prompted Ukrainian allies to reconsider their limits on Western-supplied weapons to Kyiv.
