KYIV, July 19 (Reuters) - 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.

Eight crew members hospitalized in Odesa after the attack Russian forces attacked a civilian cargo ship carrying grain in the Black Sea with three cruise missiles. At least five people were killed in the strike,

Russian strikes on the Odesa region have killed 28 people in July alone, local authorities say.

Russian attacks on August 5 caused damage to assets of German companies in Ukraine and the Black Sea. Cargo vessels associated with German business were hit,

A Russian strike hit a civilian cargo vessel flying the Togolese flag while it was unloading mineral fertilizers at the port of Odesa on July 13, killing five people and injuring 10 others, the

Blackened ships and smashed docks mark Russia's recent surge of attacks on Ukraine's coastline.

The foreign-flagged cargo vessel Mera Queen, sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau and carrying wheat, was hit late on Wednesday in Ukraine’s Black Sea area, according to Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper. The strike caused a fire and killed one crew member.