The UN Security Council convened in response to missile strikes on ships off the coast of Odesa Oblast

The UN Security Council convened a meeting at the request of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga in response to Russian attacks on merchant ships traveling through the Ukrainian export corridor to and from ports in the Odesa region.

Andriy Sibiga, Ukraine’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, addressed the Security Council after the attacks brought traffic through the Ukrainian maritime corridor—which facilitates exports via the ports of Greater Odesa— had come to a complete halt in the midst of the grain season. 

On the eve of the meeting, the Turkish dry cargo ship GOLDEN LEO sank. The vessel was struck by three X-59/X-69 cruise missiles as it was leaving the port on July 19. Ten people were killed in the attack. Eight sailors were successfully evacuated and taken to hospitals in Odesa.Theattackedvesselwas carrying nearly 2,800 metric tons of corn. A sailor from another vessel also died after it came under drone attack while en route to Reni in the Odesa region. The deceased was one of three crew members who were hospitalized following the incident. The other two injuredsailorsremain hospitalized in the intensive care unit. They are in stable condition, and their lives are not in danger.

On the night of July 24, the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Christiana B—which was transporting coal from the United States to Ukraine—sustained damage inRomania’sexclusive economic zone.

Кирило Бойко