Russian forces have conducted a ballistic missile strike on the port of Chornomorsk in Ukraine, impacting a Malta-flagged vessel preparing to load containers. The strike has left at least one crewmember injured and caused damage to the vessel, identified as the Matilda, a Greek-owned, Kazakh-operated ship.

Ukrainian authorities have reported that the strike not only affected the vessel but also damaged multiple containers (pictured), including those carrying oil, leading to an oil spill and subsequent fire at the berth area. Response operations have been swiftly initiated, with containment booms deployed to manage the environmental impact and mitigate the fire.

This incident adds to a series of maritime attacks between warring neighbours Ukraine and Russia in recent weeks, which has seen insurance rates spike for vessels heading into the Black Sea.