Missile strike on a civilian vessel near Odesa: four crew members injured

Late in the evening of July 17, 2026, Russian forces launched a missile strike on the port infrastructure of the Odesa region and on a civilian vessel flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. The consequences of the attack were reported by the Minister for Reconstruction, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine, Mykola Kalashnyk, and the Head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Oleh Kiper.

The Russian missile strike damaged the ship’s superstructure. A fire broke out on board, forcing the crew to be urgently evacuated. In total, there were 17 crew members on board. Four people were injured.

The injured were promptly given the necessary medical assistance; hospitalization was not required.

Commenting on the latest Russian attack on civilian shipping, Mykola Kalashnyk emphasized that such strikes pose a threat not only to Ukraine but also to international maritime trade:

“Deliberate strikes on civilian port infrastructure and the merchant fleet are further proof that the Russian Federation consciously ignores international law. Such attacks harm not only Ukraine but also the global safety of shipping and world supply chains”.

In addition to the civilian vessel, the Russian military attacked port infrastructure facilities. Authorities had not released detailed information about the extent of the damage at the port at the time of reporting.

Oleh Kiper called the attack another strike by the enemy directed against peaceful civilians and civilian shipping. Russian forces continue to systematically strike Ukrainian ports, merchant vessels, and facilities on which maritime exports and the security of international routes depend.

Earlier we wrote:

• Deadly strike on the port of Mykolaiv: two Ukrainians died on board the ship
• Fire engulfed 25,000 tons of oil after a strike on a port terminal
• Three killed, among the rescued — children: Odesa survived another missile strike
• “Two strikes — and there will be no maritime logistics”: Russian broadcast threatens the ports of Mykolaiv and Odesa
• Three merchant vessels struck by the RF near the ports of the Odesa region: a cook was killed