Eu Day Light

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said a Turkish-owned civilian ship carrying corn in neutral waters of the Black Sea was attacked by two Russian drones. Sybiha said the ship’s captain was killed, one crew member was injured and another was missing. He said 11 crew members were rescued and that Azerbaijani and Indian citizens were among them.

Sybiha said, “Freedom of navigation cannot depend on whether Moscow decides on any given day to respect it or not. Global food security also cannot depend on whether civilian ships can pass through the Black Sea without being attacked by Russian drones.”

Drawing attention to families in African, Asian and Middle Eastern countries that depend on food exports from Ukraine, Sybiha said, “Corn may sound like just another cargo. But for vulnerable families in countries dependent on food imports from Ukraine, obstructing such vessels can lead to severe consequences, including acute food insecurity, malnutrition and even hunger.”

Sybiha said the attack was particularly notable given Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions, pursue peace and ensure security in the Black Sea. Claiming that Russia is expanding the geographic scope of its attacks, Sybiha said, “This will continue until the cost of these attacks becomes higher than the benefit Moscow expects to gain from them.”

Sybiha said stronger pressure should be applied and that civilian shipping and maritime routes need greater protection, adding that those responsible for attacks on ships and crews must be held accountable.