Ukraine war: Ship leaves Odesa amid Russia Black Sea attack fears

A merchant vessel has near the Ukrainian larboard of Odesa, contempt concerns Russia could people vessels successful the Black Sea.

The Hong Kong-flagged Joseph Schulte had been trapped successful the larboard since Russia launched its full-scale penetration of Ukraine successful February 2022.

Kyiv has announced a "humanitarian corridor" successful the Black Sea aft a woody collapsed past period which had allowed it to export grain.

But Moscow has not said whether it volition respect the corridor.

The vessel near arsenic Kyiv said Russian aerial strikes damaged atom retention facilities successful Reni, a stream larboard connected the Danube River, astir 260km (160 miles) south-west of Odesa.

Ukrainian officials released photos showing destroyed retention facilities and piles of scattered atom and sunflowers successful Reni, connected Ukraine's borderline with Moldova and Romania.

An manufacture root told Reuters the larboard was continuing operations.

Russia has not commented connected the latest attack.

Last period Russia pulled retired of a woody guaranteeing harmless transition for exports crossed the Black Sea, and said immoderate vessel heading for Ukrainian ports could beryllium considered a subject target.

Earlier this week it fired informing shots astatine a vessel travelling towards Ukraine.

Ukraine is simply a large atom and oilseeds exporter, and the blockade has contributed to raising nutrient prices globally.

Despite the threats, Ukraine past week announced a humanitarian corridor successful the Black Sea to let ships to permission its ports, promising afloat transparency to marque wide they were serving nary subject purpose.

"A archetypal vas utilized the impermanent corridor for merchant ships to/from the ports of Great Odesa," Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said connected Facebook.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, which jointly owns the Joseph Schulte with a Chinese bank, confirmed the vessel was travelling to Istanbul, Turkey, Reuters reports.

It was carrying much than 30,000 tonnes of cargo, including food, successful 2,114 containers, Mr Kubrakov said, adding that the corridor would chiefly beryllium utilized to evacuate ships trapped successful Black Sea ports since Russia's full-scale penetration began.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials announced the seizure of Urozhaine, a tiny hamlet successful the eastbound Donetsk region, from Russian forces.

"Urozhaine liberated - our defenders are entrenched astatine the outskirts," Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said connected Telegram.

In caller months, Ukrainian forces person been conducting a immense counter-offensive, mostly successful the eastbound and south-east, aimed astatine retaking territory from occupying Russian forces.

Despite receiving billions of dollars of Western subject equipment, it has seen lone humble advances.

Earlier this week Ukraine said it had recaptured 3 sq km (1.2 sq miles) of territory astir war-ravaged Bakhmut, besides successful Donetsk region, though it is facing "powerful resistance" successful the south.