Ukraine has requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting on July 27 after reported strikes on at least three civilian cargo ships in the Black Sea, which Kyiv says left a "few dozen" crew members killed or injured. Acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the attacks "deliberate economic and humanitarian terror" and warned they are disrupting grain exports at the peak of harvest. President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded greater pressure and tougher sanctions on Russia, discussed Patriot air-defence support with U.S. officials, and sought renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Ukraine Calls Emergency UN Security Council Session After Deadly Black Sea Attacks
FILE PHOTO - Andrii Sybiha, Foreign Minister of Ukraine, speaks to journalists, ahead of the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting at the European Council building in Brussels. (is associated with: «Ukraine seeks urgent UN Security Council meeting over Russian attacks») Elisa Schu/dpa
Ukraine has asked the United Nations Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on July 27 following what Kyiv says were Russian strikes on vessels in the Black Sea, acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Wednesday.
In a post on X, Sybiha said at least three civilian cargo ships were struck in recent days and that "a few dozen" crew members were killed or wounded. He added that no vessels passed through Ukraine's Black Sea maritime corridor on the day of his statement, despite it being the peak of the harvest season.
"This is deliberate economic and humanitarian terror," Sybiha wrote, accusing Moscow of holding global food security hostage.
Sybiha urged the international community — especially states directly affected by disruptions to grain exports — to demand that Russia stop its attacks on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. "No country has the right to starve the world. Global pressure can stop Russian terror," he said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia must "feel growing pressure" and called for tougher sanctions. In his nightly address he said: "Our long-range sanctions, our mid-range strikes, and our strong positions on the front. All of this will be delivered."
Zelensky also said he met with U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker to discuss supplying the Patriot air-defence system. "We need missiles to protect our people's lives. There cannot be a shortage of ballistic missile interceptors like there is right now — these past few months have been very difficult. It is important that our partners help us," he said.
He added that he had spoken with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about reinvigorating diplomatic efforts to end the war. Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than four years.
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