Odessa Tragedy Death Toll Rises to 13 After Russian Strike on Grain Ship

Thirteen people have been killed in a Russian missile attack that struck a ship loaded with corn near the port of Odessa in southern Ukraine, Ukrainian officials said. The incident marks the deadliest attack in the Black Sea region in recent weeks.

Initial details from the Ukrainian Navy indicate that the Golden Leo, which was sailing under the Guinea-Bissau flag and had a crew made up of Indian and Syrian nationals, was targeted by three Russian cruise missiles. A massive fire engulfed the vessel after the strikes.

Reuters reported that an eyewitness in Odessa saw thick plumes of smoke rising from a ship near the coast, later confirming that it was the Golden Leo.

In a separate development, another serious incident occurred in Russia at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal in Novorossiysk. According to data from EOS Risk, the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged tanker NISSOS IOS was struck by drones while crude oil was being loaded.

Sources reported that loading operations were halted immediately after the incident. The vessel sustained severe damage to its accommodation areas, bridge, navigation instruments, mechanical systems and auxiliary equipment.

Both incidents come as security in the Black Sea remains extremely fragile. Repeated attacks are severely disrupting both the free movement of goods and the region’s vital energy infrastructure.