A Russian missile attack on a Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship off the coast of the Ukrainian city of Odesa has resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including nine crew members and one pilot, according to Ukraine's seaports authority. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the ship was hit by Russian cruise missiles on Sunday, causing a fire. A search and rescue operation was launched and continued throughout the night.

Local authorities have reported that Russian strikes on the Odesa region have killed 28 people in July alone. Governor Oleh Kiper noted earlier this month that air raid shelters have been established on 40 beaches in the region, which are open to the public, but warned that seaside locations remain particularly dangerous due to frequent drone and missile launches from the sea.

Ukraine's drone forces commander Robert Brovdi stated that 183 vessels had been struck in July. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi said on Sunday that the government and military command are "preparing decisions that will enhance the safety of navigation and help protect civilian vessels and seafarers" from Russian attacks.

In related developments, Sergei Sobyanin, mayor of Moscow, claimed that Kyiv launched 400 drones towards the region overnight on Monday, though most were reportedly shot down. Local authorities later confirmed that 10 people were injured as a result.

According to the United Nations, June saw the highest number of Ukrainian civilians killed and injured since April 2022.

Sources