Russia strikes Ukraine's Chornomorsk port, hitting vessels; grain-laden Golden Leo sinks off Odesa, 9 dead

Moscow announces strikes on Chornomorsk

On 26 July, Russia’s Ministry of Defence posted on Telegram that its forces had precisely hit the container terminal of Chornomorsk, near Odesa. The post claimed the port was being used to handle “military cargo.” The same statement reported a strike on a military transport vessel south of Odesa. In a subsequent message, the ministry said two more bulk carriers were hit, but gave no details of when or where those attacks took place.

“Russian forces struck the container terminal of Chornomorsk.”

The Ukrainian side did not immediately confirm the damage from the 26 July strikes. The port of Chornomorsk is one of Ukraine’s key grain export terminals and has been the target of previous Russian attacks, according to the ministry’s own narrative that it was servicing military logistics.

The Golden Leo sinks

The bulk carrier Golden Leo, flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, had sailed from Chornomorsk with a cargo of corn when it was struck by Russian forces on 19 July. The attack left the vessel severely damaged and adrift. Nine crew members were killed and eight were rescued. Late on 26 July, Ukrainian port authorities reported the ship had sunk near Odesa. Moscow has made no comment on the 19 July strike.

Nine dead, questions remain

The loss of the Golden Leo brings the confirmed death toll from the 19 July incident to nine. The eight survivors were rescued, though their condition was not disclosed. Russia’s Telegram announcements on 26 July omitted any reference to the earlier attack or the ship’s sinking, focusing instead on its claimed destruction of military cargo capacity. The two other bulk carriers hit on 26 July remain unidentified, and their status is unknown. Ukrainian authorities have yet to issue a detailed report on the scale of damage at Chornomorsk terminal or the number of vessels affected.