Four killed in Russian strike on grain vessel in Odesa port, Ukraine says
March 11 (Reuters) - A Russian missile attack on Tuesday damaged a grain vessel in the Black Sea port of Odesa, killing four people, Ukrainian authorities said.
A ballistic missile struck the MJ Pinar bulk carrier that was loading wheat for Algeria, killing four Syrian nationals and injuring one other Syrian and a Ukrainian, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said on Telegram.
"Russia is attacking Ukraine's infrastructure, including ports, which are involved in ensuring the world's food security," Kuleba said.
Global grain merchant Louis Dreyfus Company said in an emailed statement that the vessel had been loading at its Brooklyn-Kiev terminal at Odesa port, with terminal infrastructure also damaged.
LDC said its terminal employees were safe, with the dead among the crew of the chartered vessel.
Kuleba said another vessel was also damaged, without giving further details.
Ukraine, like Russia, is a major grain exporter. It has managed to re-establish large-scale maritime exports during the war, despite Russian strikes on ports.
Chicago wheat futures , a global price benchmark, were little changed on Wednesday.
Ukraine also reported other Russian strikes overnight as fighting continues in the three-year-old war in parallel to U.S. efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Spectator
an hour ago
- Spectator
Why Russia wants war between Israel and Iran
Israel's assault on Iran represents a double helping of good news for the Kremlin. Years of two-track diplomacy have allowed Vladimir Putin to position himself both as a friend to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to the Iranian leadership. That will make Russia an indispensable partner for the US once it embarks on the long process of patching up the new political realities of the Middle East in the wake of this war. Though Israeli planes have so far carefully avoided striking Iran's oil export infrastructure, the war has inevitably spooked markets and boosted sagging crude oil prices – and with them, Putin's war chest. Over three months of inconclusive negotiations with the Trump administration over ending the Ukraine war, Russian negotiators always insisted that Ukraine was just one part of a global package of military, economic and political issues where Washington's fundamental interests could align with Moscow's. Now it's happened. In the wake of the Israeli strikes, Putin was the only world leader to speak by phone to Netanyahu, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Donald Trump. Thanks to Israel's devastating military strikes, Washington now faces a multi-dimensional challenge as it simultaneously tries to prevent a global oil price shock, a bilateral war between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and blowback against US military and civilian targets by Iranian agents or proxies. Russia, with its military and diplomatic ties to Tehran, will inevitably be part of that diplomatic balancing act. All of a sudden, pressuring the Kremlin into winding down operations in Ukraine seems like small potatoes compared to helping prevent the whole Middle East from going up in flames. Russia has, of late, been cosplaying as an ally of Iran. In the immediate aftermath of the Israeli strikes, Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement condemning the attacks as 'categorically unacceptable' and warning that 'all the consequences of this provocation will fall on the Israeli leadership'. Moscow also urged both parties 'to exercise restraint in order to prevent further escalation of tensions and keep the region from sliding into a full-scale war'. But that alliance of convenience is, in the Kremlin's eyes, very much secondary to Russia's more important role as a global power player that can stand alongside the US and China as an arbiter of world affairs. Putin may have signed a 'comprehensive strategic partnership' treaty with Iranian President Pezeshkian in January, but he has his eyes on a far larger diplomatic prize – to boost his own standing as a power broker in the Middle East. In his conversation with Netanyahu, Putin 'emphasised the importance of returning to the negotiation process and resolving all issues related to the Iranian nuclear programme exclusively through political and diplomatic means'. He also offered his mediation 'in order to prevent further escalation of tensions', according to the Kremlin's readout. In his call to Trump on Saturday, Putin also signalled Russia's readiness to carry out 'mediation efforts to de-escalate the crisis' – and reminded Trump that Russia has actually been a long-time ally of the US over its years of negotiations with the Iranians over their nuclear programme. Moscow's relations with the Islamic Republic have always been very much an on-again, off-again affair. Back in the 1990s, Moscow helped Iran build its first Shehab long-range ballistic missiles and constructed Iran's first civilian nuclear reactor at Bushehr, which became operational in 2013. Russia and Iran pooled efforts to shore up Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria, with Russia deploying warplanes in 2015. Moscow also supplied S-300 air defence missile systems and has been importing thousands of Shahed drones, which it has fired indiscriminately at Ukraine. At the same time, Moscow was a signatory of the US-brokered Iran nuclear deal in 2015, which was scrapped by Trump two years later. This year, Moscow has offered to handle the enrichment of Iran's nuclear fuel as part of a possible updated nuclear deal. That arrangement could allow Iran to maintain a civilian nuclear energy programme while depriving it of any excuse to enrich uranium to weapons-grade. And despite their professed alliance, Russia has also dragged its feet over selling Iran advanced Su-35 fighter jets that might be a match for Israeli jets in the air. Israel, in return, has refused to provide Ukraine with weapons despite strong pleas from Kyiv. In the immediate aftermath of Israel's attack, oil prices jumped from under $60 to $75 a barrel as nervous traders feared disruption to Iran's ability to export crude. But it soon emerged that Israeli warplanes had not hit key infrastructure at the biggest Iranian oil terminal at Kharg Island, and traffic in the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf appeared normal. Instead, Israel attacked Iran's domestic energy industry, including gas processing plants and petrol depots across the country – perhaps in an effort to spark price hikes that have spurred anti-regime protests in the past. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright tweeted that the US was 'working closely with the National Security Council to monitor the ongoing situation in the Middle East and any potential impacts to global energy supply'. Decoded, that means Washington will be urging Israel to hold off attacking Kharg to avoid catastrophic damage to the economy of Iran's main customer, China. At the same time, Israel is keeping the option of escalating against oil infrastructure in its back pocket as it negotiates with both enemies and allies. With every new conflict the importance of the Ukraine war to the West fades a little All of this is good news for the Kremlin, which was facing the prospect of falling oil prices pushing up deficits and stretching budgets. A major conflagration in the Middle East promises to occupy the bandwidth of the world's media – and with it the attention of electorates and politicians. 'The world's attention towards Ukraine will weaken,' tweeted Kremlin-aligned analyst Sergei Markov. 'A war between Israel and Iran will help the Russian army's success in Ukraine.' On the minus side of the ledger, Israeli warplanes have reportedly blown up Iran's Shahed drone factory in Isfahan just days after Ukrainian long-range drones damaged Russia's plant for producing their own Shahed clones, known as Geran, in Yelabuga. That will put a dent in Moscow's ability to continue its nightly swarm attacks on Ukrainian cities, which have seen as many as 450 Shaheds deployed in a single wave. But overall, that is a small price to pay for a conflict that suits the Kremlin down to the ground. Last month, the Trump administration made Putin what seemed like an excellent offer – to cash out his gains and call a halt to his assault on Ukraine with a de facto border along the current line of control and a promise that Kyiv would never join Nato. But Putin refused. Many observers were mystified as to why. Now the picture becomes a little clearer. With every new conflict – especially a major Middle Eastern conflagration – the importance of the Ukraine war to the West fades a little. And the more opportunity Putin has to leverage Russia's diplomatic weight and help Washington and Beijing solve the world's problems, the further he moves away from being a warmonger and towards his coveted role as senior international statesman. There is no way that Putin could have predicted Israel's full-scale attack on Iran months ago when he began stalling on Trump's peace deal. But he has always had the devil's own luck.
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Donald Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader
The Israelis informed the Trump administration in recent days that it had developed a credible plan to kill Mr Khamenei. After being briefed on the plan, the White House made clear to Israeli officials that Mr Trump was opposed to the Israelis making the move. The Trump administration is desperate to keep Israel's military operation aimed at decapitating Iran's nuclear program from exploding into an even more expansive conflict and saw the plan to kill Mr Khamenei as a move that would enflame the conflict and potentially destabilise the region. Asked on Sunday about the plan during an interview on Fox News Channel's Special Report with Bret Baier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not directly address whether the White House rejected the plan. 'But I can tell you, I think that we do what we need to do, we'll do what we need to do. And I think the United States knows what is good for the United States,' Mr Netanyahu said. Mr Netanyahu's office declined to comment on the reports. Mr Trump's rejection of the proposal was first reported by Reuters. It comes as the president issued a stark warning to Iran against retaliating on US targets in the Middle East while also predicting that Israel and Iran would 'soon' make a deal to end their escalating conflict. Mr Trump in an early morning social meeting posting said the United States 'had nothing to do with the attack on Iran' as Israel and Iran traded missile attacks for the third straight day. 'The U.S. had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight. If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before. However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and… — The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 15, 2025 Iran, however, has said that it would hold the US, which has provided Israel with much of its deep arsenal of weaponry, for its backing of Israel. Israel targeted Iran's Defence Ministry headquarters in Tehran and sites it alleged were associated with Iran's nuclear program, while Iranian missiles evaded Israeli air defences and slammed into buildings deep inside the country. Mr Trump said: 'If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US armed forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.' Hours later, the US president took to social media again to predict that 'Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal'. The US president made the claim that he has built a track record for de-escalating conflicts, and that he would get Israel and Iran to cease hostilities 'just like I got India and Pakistan to' after the two countries' recent cross-border confrontation. Mr Trump also pointed to efforts by his administration during his first term to mediate disputes between Serbia and Kosovo and Egypt and Ethiopia. 'Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran!' Mr Trump said. 'Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!' The growing conflict between Israel and Iran is testing Mr Trump, who ran on a promise to quickly end the brutal wars in Gaza and Ukraine and build a foreign policy that more broadly favours steering clear of foreign conflicts. Mr Trump has struggled to find an endgame to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. And after criticising President Joe Biden during last year's campaign for preventing Israel from carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Mr Trump found himself making the case to the Israelis to give diplomacy a chance. His administration's push on Tehran to give up its nuclear program came after the US and other world powers reached a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement in 2015 that limited Tehran's enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Mr Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday about the growing Israel-Iran conflict, and he is set to travel to Canada for Group of Seven leaders summit where the Mideast crisis will loom large over his talks with the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan and the European Union.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Iran launches 3rd night of strikes as Netanyahu warns war could lead to ‘regime change' in Tehran
WAR ZONE Iran launches 3rd night of strikes as Netanyahu warns war could lead to 'regime change' in Tehran Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IRAN has launched another blistering set of missiles into Israel as the Middle East faces a third night of carnage. Benjamin Netanyahu said just before the latest blitz that Iran is now "very weak" as he warned of an impending "regime change" in Tehran. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Smoke can be seen billowing above Haifa after Iran's latest missile blitz Credit: Getty 5 Missiles launched from Iran tonight being intercepted by Israel Credit: Reuters 5 Iranian residents have abandoned their cars in droves as they attempt to get out of Tehran Credit: AFP 5 The aftermath of today's strikes on Tehran Credit: IRNA 5 Israelis have remained upbeat despite rushing to take shelter underground tonight Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Israel successfully blasted numerous Iranian targets today but Tehran Iran fired back tonight with a barrage of around 30 missiles targeting central Israel and Jerusalem. But the retaliatory attacks have done little to restore much faith among Iranian locals who have spent the past three days awaiting the next Israeli blitz. Chaos erupted in Tehran today as civilians began to flee the Iranian capital amid car bombings and relentless Israeli air strikes. A CNN correspondent based in Tehran has now reported people becoming increasingly more stressed and panicking amid the high intensity attacks. Pictures show hundreds of cars gridlocked on roads as they try to flee the capital city. Local media reports heavy damage was caused to Tehran's urban infrastructure. Many buildings were seen destroyed in various parts of the city. The strikes are also said to have obliterated an aircraft repair centre, and targeted the city's famous Valiasr Square. A slew of car bombings were also reported, which the Iranian media has blamed in Israel. Tel Aviv has denied setting off these bombs. Netanyahu told Fox News in an interview that Iranian civilians are now growing tired of the current regime. The Israeli PM claims the current leadership doesn't "have the people", and says "80 per cent of the people" want to overthrow it. Israeli officials have even said Iran's theocratic dictator Khamenei is not "off limits" from being targeted in the airstrikes. There is now growing concerns that the US may be drawn into the raging conflict. Donald Trump told ABC News network that it remains possible he will become involved at some point if strikes continue. He warned Tehran would experience "the full strength" of the US military if it attacks the US bases in the Middle East. Iran and Israel sit on the brink of a full-scale war after Tel Aviv accused Tehran of trying to develop a nuclear bomb. Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun's live blog below...
