Ukraine Blames Russia for Deadly Cargo Ship Strike as Putin Thanks North Korea
Ukraine has accused Russia of killing six crew members in a missile strike on a Turkish cargo ship near Odesa, while Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to North Korea for its support. Meanwhile, a Russian anti-war politician withdraws from elections, citing suppression.
Ukrainian officials blamed Russia for a deadly strike on the Turkish cargo ship Golden Leo, which was flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau. According to Ukraine's navy, Russia launched three cruise missiles as the vessel was "leaving the combat zone with a cargo of grain." Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said the crew included citizens of Syria and India, and a Ukrainian maritime pilot was killed. Transport Minister Mykola Kalashnyk reported that six sailors were confirmed dead, four missing, eight rescued, and two of them injured.
The attack came as Russia carried out one of its largest ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, firing about 40 Iskander-M and hypersonic Zircon missiles overnight. At least six people were killed and dozens injured, with fires breaking out across the capital. A three-storey building caught fire in the central Shevchenkivskyi district, and rescuers recovered one body.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Ukrainian forces struck three oil depots and a fuel facility in Russia's southern Stavropol region, as well as three Russian tankers from the "shadow fleet" in the Black Sea.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin thanked North Korea for supporting Russia's war effort during a meeting with visiting Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. Putin praised the "heroic deeds" of North Korean soldiers, saying they would be honored like Russian compatriots. In return for troops and weapons, North Korea has reportedly received financial aid, food, energy supplies, and military technology.
Russian anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin announced he would not run in September's legislative elections, stating he has been "silenced" and "pushed out of politics." Recently convicted for displaying "extremist symbols" and declared a foreign agent, Nadezhdin said his ability to engage in opposition politics has been exhausted and he is not willing to risk his supporters.
