After three Russian missiles: a dry cargo ship carrying corn is sinking near Odesa

In the Odesa Bay the general cargo ship GOLDEN LEO, which a week earlier suffered serious damage as a result of a Russian missile strike, capsized and began to sink. The relevant footage was published by local pages on July 26, 2026. Information about the condition of the vessel was also confirmed by a correspondent of the publication “Dumskaya”.

According to journalists, the ship began to sink rapidly in the evening. Cargo remains on board, and the sea depth in this area is about 22–24 meters. The general cargo ship, flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, was carrying corn. On July 19, while leaving a Ukrainian port, it was hit by three Russian Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles. The strikes struck the area of the superstructure on the starboard side, after which a fire broke out on the vessel.

As a result of the strike, 10 people were killed — nine crew members and a Ukrainian maritime pilot. Eight sailors were rescued and brought ashore. The crew consisted of citizens of India and Syria.

The day before, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have allegedly struck a bulk carrier and several general cargo ships on the sea route, which supposedly transported military cargo to the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk. At the same time, the Russian agency did not name the ships or provide evidence for its claims. There is no confirmed link between that statement and the sinking of GOLDEN LEO, which was attacked on July 19.

As of 19:40 on July 26 no separate official statement by Ukrainian maritime services about the final sinking of the vessel has been published.

Previously we wrote:

• Maritime exports under threat: shipowners suspended entries to Ukrainian ports
• Drifted at sea for over a day: border guards rescued a Filipino from a ship attacked by Russians
• Missile strike on a civilian vessel near Odesa: four crew members wounded
• Fire engulfed 25,000 tons of oil after strike on a port terminal
• Three merchant ships hit by Russian strikes near Odesa region’s ports: a cook killed