Russian Missile Strike on Odessa Port Kills Four Crew Members

On the evening of March 11, a Russian ballistic missile attack targeted Ukraine’s Odessa sea trade port, resulting in the deaths of four crew members aboard the bulk carrier MJ Pinar.

Reports indicate that an air raid alarm was sounded in Odessa around 20:15 local time, followed shortly by a powerful explosion. The Ukrainian Air Force Command later confirmed that the blast was caused by a ballistic missile strike.

The MJ Pinar, a Barbados-flagged bulk carrier, had 12 crew members onboard at the time of the attack. The vessel was in the process of loading 30,000 tonnes of wheat for export when it was struck.

According to the Ukraine Sea Ports Authority, the missile hit a section of the berth wall, causing a fire onboard the ship. The incident led to the deaths of three Syrian and one Ukrainian crew member, while one sailor and a port worker sustained injuries.

The strike also caused severe damage to port infrastructure, including the pier and the grain terminal’s conveyor gallery. Emergency response teams are currently assessing the damage and implementing safety measures.