The Russian army launched a ballistic missile at the bulk carrier MJ Pinar, which was carrying a Syrian crew on board.

Journalist Denys Kazansky reported on this.

The strike on the bulk carrier took place while it was docked at the Odesa port, where it was preparing to depart for Algeria with a load of grain.

The attack killed four crew members, three of whom were Syrian nationals. The fifth crew member was seriously injured, and his condition is currently unknown.

Following the strike, a fire erupted on board the vessel, and the ship itself sustained damage from the debris.

The bulk carrier MJ Pinar is registered in Barbados and flies the flag of that country. At the time of the attack, it was loaded with 30,000 tons of wheat.

As of now, the Syrian government has yet to comment on the deaths of its citizens caused by the Russian strike.

The deaths of the Syrians took place against the backdrop of tense relations between Syria and Russia, in particular because of the new Syrian president’s refusal to deploy a Russian contingent in the country.

Militarnyi previously reported that the new Syrian government had terminated an investment agreement with a Russian company to manage the port of Tartus, where Russia’s only foreign naval base is located.

Tartus Customs Director Riyad Judi noted that after the port management is returned to the Syrian side, the outdated mechanisms (probably referring to port infrastructure and equipment – Ed.) used by the Russian company without modernization will be restored, although the agreement provided for this.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Russia has started to strengthen its ties with the new Syrian government by offering support, as former donors have suspended financial aid.

One of the first signs of improving relations between the two nations was Russia’s transfer of approximately $23 million in Syrian currency to the country’s central bank.