On Thursday, Ukraine accused Russia of employing strategic bombers to target a civilian grain vessel in a missile strike within the Black Sea, close to NATO member Romania, heightening tensions between Moscow and the military alliance.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that the vessel, which was transporting Ukrainian grain to Egypt, was struck by a Russian missile shortly after departing from Ukrainian territorial waters, although he confirmed there were no casualties.Russia has not yet issued a response.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attack as “a blatant violation of freedom of navigation and a threat to global food security.”

According to Ukraine’s navy, Russian Tupolev Tu-22 bombers launched several cruise missiles at 11:02 p.m. local time (2002 GMT) on Wednesday. This incident marks the first missile strike on a civilian grain transport at sea since the onset of Moscow’s invasion in February 2022, although some vessels have previously been damaged while docked at Ukrainian ports.

The attack occurs as Zelenskiy seeks to engage with the Global South, including nations like Egypt, to garner support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.

Additionally, NATO allies are deliberating on permitting Ukraine to conduct deeper strikes into Russian territory, a move that Moscow has warned would provoke a response.

The West has also accused Iran of escalating the situation by supplying ballistic missiles to Russia. British maritime security firm Ambrey reported that a bulk carrier flagged by Saint Kitts and Nevis was hit by a missile launched by Russia after leaving the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk in the Odesa region.

The vessel, identified as the Aya bulk carrier, suffered damage to its port side, affecting both a cargo hold and a crane.

Ship tracking data indicated that the last known position of the vessel was near the Romanian port of Constanta, and attempts to reach its Athens-based manager, VRS Maritime Services, for comment were unsuccessful. Traders noted the developments.