On October 7, 2024, Russian forces targeted the port infrastructure in Odesa, Ukraine, resulting in the damage of a civilian ship registered under the flag of Palau. The attack led to the death of one Ukrainian and injuries to five foreign nationals.
According to Oleksiy Kuleba, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction, the missile strikes specifically hit the OPTIMA vessel, which had just arrived at the port for loading. Kuleba emphasized that the attacks represent a systematic effort to intimidate and disrupt the operations of Ukraine's maritime corridor. He stated, 'In two days, the enemy has damaged two ships that were to transport cargo from Ukraine. This is a deliberate practice aimed at undermining navigation in the Black Sea and jeopardizing Ukraine's food security efforts.'
Oleg Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, confirmed that the deceased was a 60-year-old Ukrainian worker employed by a private cargo handling company. Among the injured were four foreign nationals in moderate condition and one in mild condition, all receiving necessary medical assistance.
This incident follows a previous attack where a Russian missile damaged another civilian cargo ship, PARESA, registered in Saint Kitts and Nevis, which was set to transport Ukrainian corn for export. Ukrainian officials have noted that PARESA was the 20th civilian vessel to suffer damage due to Russian strikes, while Russia claims to target military cargoes during such attacks.