Civilian shipping in Ukrainian ports has effectively come to a halt following two weeks of relentless Russian attacks. From July 7 to July 21, at least ten strikes on commercial vessels were recorded. The most severe incident occurred on July 19 near Odesa, where a strike on the bulk carrier GOLDEN LEO resulted in the deaths of nine crew members and a Ukrainian pilot. Following this incident, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Russian chargé d’affaires.
In total, there have been 23 attacks on port infrastructure, with an additional 17 assaults directly targeting ships. Consequently, Maersk Ukraine has suspended feeder services through the Black Sea fish port, and grain handling capacities have decreased from 6 million to 4 million tons per month.
