On 7 October, the Palau-flagged OPTIMA vessel came under enemy ballistic attack.
This was announced by Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities and Territories Development.
“Unfortunately, one person died. Five other foreign nationals, crew members, were injured. They are currently receiving medical care. The vessel had just come in for loading. However, in a few hours it became the target of the aggressor country. It is important that port infrastructure is protected from terror and that free and safe navigation is guaranteed. We must continue to strengthen our air defence and bring the enemy to justice with the power of weapons and the power of diplomacy,” he said.
According to the Minister for Communities and Territories Development, such attacks can only lead to increased instability in sensitive regions of the world that depend on food imports and to unrest in international relations.
Oleksii Kuleba stressed that russia was deliberately intimidating and obstructing the Ukrainian sea corridor to undermine Ukraine’s efforts to ensure food security.