Ukraine urges UN Security Council emergency meeting over Russian Black Sea ship attacks

Ukraine’s acting foreign minister Andriy Sybiha said Russia has bombed at least three civilian cargo vessels in the Black Sea, killing or injuring dozens of crew members and halting all traffic through Ukraine’s maritime corridor at the height of the harvest. He labelled the strikes “economic and humanitarian terror” and warned that the attacks threaten global food security, potentially driving up prices and famine in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Kyiv has therefore requested an urgent UN Security Council session for 27 July to condemn the attacks and demand that Russia stop targeting free navigation.

Russia, meanwhile, accused Ukraine of targeting its ports in Odesa and Chornomorsk and claimed it had hit multiple cargo ships and depot facilities. Separate incidents reported on 21 July include a Panama‑flagged bulker, Lady Zehma, damaged by a drone and rocket strike in the Black Sea; its 22‑person crew was unharmed and the vessel remained operational. Ukraine has also carried out drone raids on Russian oil refineries and logistics centres, including the Wildberries e‑commerce warehouses, causing fires and significant economic loss.