Sailor killed after Russian forces attack civilian cargo ship in Ukraine

Russian forces attacked a civilian cargo vessel flying the Liberian flag in one of the ports of Ukraine’s Odesa region, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (AMPU/USPA) reported on October 3, 2026.

The strike killed a motorman (sailor-motorist) and wounded three other crew members. The 13-member crew was evacuated to a safe location.

AMPU described the incident as another deliberate attack on civilian shipping. The agency stated that Russia continues to target the merchant fleet and seafarers who operate Ukrainian maritime routes under constant risk.

The ports authority expressed condolences to the family of the deceased sailor and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

This marks the latest in a series of Russian attacks on commercial vessels and port infrastructure in the Black Sea region amid the ongoing war.