Russian Missile Attack Kills 4 Sailors At Odesa Port & Causes Fire Onboard Bulker MJ Pinar

Ukraine reported a lethal attack on the Odesa Port in which 4 seafarers onboard a bulker died in a missile attack by Russia. Another crew member and an employee of the port company suffered injuries.

This attack came amidst both parties escalating their efforts while the Trump government pushes for peace talks.

The incident was expected after it was announced that Ukraine had launched a drone attack on Moscow, and the sirens warned that Russia could target the city of Odesa that evening. Per reports, the alarm was sounded at 2000 local time, and a few minutes later, a massive explosion occurred.

The attack damaged a bulker registered in Barbados, the MJ Pinar. It was in the port of Odesa, loading 30,000 tonnes of wheat and preparing to leave for Algeria.

A missile hit the seawall, leading to severe damage to the pier, the grain gallery of the terminal and other infrastructure.

There was fire onboard the ship that killed 3 Syrian and 1 Ukrainian Crew Member and injured another. The vessel had 12 crew members and a port employee onboard who also suffered from injuries.

This attack is said to be the most dangerous for seafarers in the port and came the day that the U.S agreed to resume providing military intelligence and shipping materials to Ukraine.

The Syrian Government is yet to comment on the death of its citizens in the Russian attack, which took place against the background of tense relations between the two countries, especially due to the refusal of the Syrian President to deploy a Russian contingent in the country.

References: Militarnyi

Source: Maritime Shipping News