TRIESTE – The bulk carrier Golden Leo, flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau and owned by the Turkish company Ocean Grace Shipping, was struck by three Russian Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles as it was leaving the port of Odessa with a cargo of grain destined for export. According to Ukrainian authorities, thedeath toll from the attack has risen to ten, all of whom were crew members, while eight others were rescued and hospitalized in Odessa.
On board the vessel were 16 Syrian seafarers, one Indian seafarer, and a pilot from the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA), who was assisting with the ship’s departure from the port and who, according to Ukrainian authorities, was killed in the attack. Acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed the presence of Syrian and Indian citizens among the crew and reported that the ship’s captain, a Ukrainian national, was also among the victims.
The Ukrainian Navy maintains that the Golden Leo was an unarmed civilian vessel and did not constitute a military target, describing the Russian action as “a deliberate attack on peaceful shipping” and “a serious violation of international humanitarian law.” According to Kyiv, the cargo ship was already sailing outside the port’s operational area when it was struck by missiles.
The attack is part of a new wave of bombings targeting port infrastructure and commercial ships in the ports of Odessa and Pivdennyi. Moscow has claimed responsibility for raids on fuel depots and other logistical targets, while Kyiv denounces an escalation of attacks against civilian maritime traffic involved in the export of Ukrainian agricultural products through the Black Sea.
