Ten Killed as Russian Attacks on Merchant Ships Intensify in Black Sea

At least 10 people have been killed as Russian attacks on commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea intensified, raising fresh concerns over the safety of international shipping and the export of grain and other commodities from Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials said the latest strikes targeted merchant ships and port infrastructure along the Black Sea coast, causing fatalities among crew members and port workers while damaging cargo vessels and terminal facilities. Emergency services were deployed to extinguish fires and assist the injured.

The attacks are the latest in a series of strikes that have heightened risks for commercial shipping in the region, despite ongoing efforts to maintain maritime trade routes for Ukrainian agricultural exports. Officials warned that continued assaults on civilian vessels threaten global food supplies and international maritime security.

Russia has maintained that it is targeting military-related infrastructure and has accused Ukraine of using ports and commercial shipping facilities for military purposes. Ukraine rejects the claims, saying Russia is deliberately attacking civilian infrastructure and attempting to disrupt its economy by targeting exports.

The Black Sea remains a critical route for global grain shipments, particularly from Ukraine, one of the world’s largest exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil. Repeated attacks on ports and merchant vessels have complicated export operations and increased insurance costs for shipping companies operating in the region.

International maritime organisations and several governments condemned the attacks and called for the protection of civilian shipping under international law. The United Nations also renewed its appeal for measures to safeguard commercial navigation and prevent further disruptions to global food and energy markets.

Analysts warned that continued attacks on merchant shipping could further strain global supply chains, increase freight costs and deepen uncertainty in agricultural markets already affected by the prolonged conflict.