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.

The death toll of a Russian strike on a cargo ship off the coast of the Ukrainian city of Odesa has risen to 10. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship was hit by Russian cruise missiles on Sunday, the Ukrainian Air Force said, causing a fire.

A civilian cargo ship sank on July 26 in the Black Sea near Odesa after being struck by Russian missiles days earlier on July 19 while it was transporting grain, authorities reported.

Ukraine has launched a heavy drone assault on warships and major Russian grain export terminals in the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk.

Grain exports from both Russia and Ukraine are falling as both countries attack each other's shipping facilities and ports.

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.

However, this is not Russia's only plan Russia is actively expanding its network of launch sites for long-range strike drones. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukraine's West is likely to be one of Russia's targets.