Russian strike on cargo ship in Black Sea kills 5

Russian forces struck an international cargo vessel in the Black Sea off the coast of Ukraine's southern city of Odesa, killing at least five crew members, Ukrainian officials said on Sunday.



The Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship had left port loaded with corn and was carrying a crew of 17 sailors from India and Syria, in addition to one Ukrainian.



Eight crew members were rescued from the vessel — which was still burning late on Sunday — and five remain missing.



A Reuters witness in Odesa saw smoke billowing from a large vessel off the coast.



Moscow has not publicly commented on Sunday's strike.



Russia has stepped up attacks in recent weeks on deepwater ports in southern Ukraine that handle much of the country's grain and other critical cargo in the fifth year of war.