The Golden Leo cargo ship has sunk off Odessa after being hit by Russian missiles, resulting in casualties and impacting grain exports.
Ukrainian officials have announced that the cargo ship named Golden Leo, which sustained heavy damage from a Russian missile attack off the coast of Odessa, has sunk. It was reported that the ship, which had taken on water for six days after the attack, has completely submerged.
It was stated that three cruise missiles launched by Russia targeted the Golden Leo, which is operated by Turkey and flies the flag of Guinea-Bissau, off the coast of Odessa on July 19. The ship, which was hit while departing the port with a cargo of corn, has been noted as one of the latest targets of Russia's attacks on Ukraine's grain exports. Images shared on Ukrainian social media, which allegedly show the ship capsizing and sinking, have also surfaced in the public domain.
According to a statement from the Ukrainian Navy, the missiles struck the living quarters on the starboard side of the ship. Ten people lost their lives in the attack, and a fire broke out on the vessel. In the search and rescue operations, which were conducted under intense security risks, eight crew members were rescued, including at least one injured.
It was announced that four of the deceased were Indian nationals, and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a formal note of protest to Russia.
In a statement from the ministry, it was said, 'Targeting commercial vessels is unacceptable as it endangers the lives of innocent civilian seafarers and obstructs the freedom of navigation and trade.'
In the week following the attack on the Golden Leo, it was reported that commercial vessel traffic to Odessa Port has largely come to a standstill due to the increasing security risks. Despite India's diplomatic efforts, it was noted that Russia continues its attacks, while the Kremlin spokesperson claimed that the operations were carried out 'to prevent vessels carrying munitions, weapons, and similar materials on behalf of the Kiev administration.'
Under normal circumstances, Ukraine accounts for approximately 6% of the world's wheat exports and 11% of corn exports. Agricultural product exports constitute more than one-third of the country's total export revenues. Therefore, developments in the Black Sea have significant implications for global grain supply.
Russian grain exports are also negatively affected.
On the other hand, Ukraine's recent operations against Russian vessels in the northeastern part of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea are also adversely impacting Russian grain exports. It was stated that ship traffic in the Kerch Strait has been halted since July 11, due to damage caused to anchorage areas and transit routes as a result of attacks carried out by Ukraine using medium-range drones.
The consulting firm SovEcon, which monitors agricultural markets, predicts that Russia's grain exports for July will fall below half of the average for the last five years, reporting that exporters have been forced to seek alternative shipping routes.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
