Russian-attacked cargo ship sinks off Odesa
Photo by: Одеська ОВА / Odesa Military Administration
The GOLDEN LEO (IMO 9181833), flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, sank in the waters of Odesa port on July 27 after sustaining severe damage in a Russian missile attack near Odesa on July 19.
According to Ukraine's Shipping Administration, the vessel suffered extensive structural damage to its hull and superstructure, causing it to lose seaworthiness before eventually sinking.
There were no crew members on board when the vessel sank. Following the attack, eight crew members were rescued during a search-and-rescue operation. Nine crew members and a Ukrainian pilot were killed in the strike.
The vessel was attacked while departing Chornomorsk port via Ukraine's Black Sea maritime corridor.
"By attacking merchant vessels, Russia is flagrantly violating international maritime law and the principle of freedom of navigation. Such attacks pose a direct threat to the lives of seafarers and undermine the stability of international shipping and global food security," the Shipping Administration said.
The administration said it had informed the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the vessel's owner about the incident.
- On July 19, Russia struck the vessel with three Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles. At the time of the attack, the ship was leaving the combat zone carrying a cargo of corn.
The GOLDEN LEO is owned by a Turkish company. The vessel had 17 crew members on board — citizens of Syria and India — as well as a pilot from Delta Pilot, a branch of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA).
