Ukraine says Russia hit grain vessel near NATO member Romania

Kyiv (Reuters): Ukraine accused Russia on Thursday of using strategic bombers to strike a civilian grain vessel in a missile attack in Black Sea waters near NATO member Romania, escalating tensions between Moscow and the military alliance.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the vessel carrying Ukrainian grain to Egypt had been hit overnight by a Russian missile just after it left Ukrainian territorial waters. There were no casualties, he said.

There was no immediate comment from Russia.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the strike was "a brazen attack on freedom of navigation and global food security". Zelenskiy said the ship was hit by a missile, while Ukraine's navy said Russian Tupolev Tu-22 bombers had fired a number of cruise missiles.

It was the first time a missile has struck a civilian vessel transporting grains at sea since the start of Moscow's invasion in February 2022. Some vessels have been damaged during Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports where they were moored.

The incident comes as Zelenskiy has been trying to court the Global South, including countries like Egypt - the destination of the grain according to Ukraine - and convince them to join the West in supporting Ukraine in the war.

The strike comes as NATO allies are considering allowing Ukraine to make deeper strikes into Russia, a step Moscow has warned will elicit a response. The West meanwhile has accused Iran of a major escalation by supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.

British maritime security company Ambrey said in a note that a Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged bulk carrier had been struck by a Russian-launched missile after leaving the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk in Ukraine's Odesa region.

The vessel sustained damage to its port side, including a cargo hold and a crane, it said.

The Navy identified the vessel as the Aya bulk carrier.

Ship tracking data showed the vessel's last reported position was off the Romanian port of Constanta. The vessel's Athens-based manager, VRS Maritime Services, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Traders said the incident had contributed to stronger wheat prices by adding to concern over tightening supply in the Black Sea export zone. U.S. futures rose as much as 2% to hit a two-month peak.

Zelenskiy posted images showing the twisted metal of a damaged crane and other damage.