A Russian Tu-22M3 bomber launched a Kh-22 anti-ship missile that struck the Turkish-operated cargo ship MV Aya carrying Ukrainian grain to Egypt in international waters 15-20 nautical miles off the Romanian coast.

Kh-22 missile struck MV Aya on Sept. 11

The weapon was one of three launched by a trio of bombers flying over the Black Sea shortly after 11 a.m.

On September 11, 2024, the Merchant Vessel (MV) Aya was struck by a missile in the Black Sea as it transited south from the Ukrainian port of Odesa having been loaded with more than 26,000 tonnes of grain bound for Egypt.

It is almost certain that the missile was an AS-4 KITCHEN (Kh-22) anti-ship missile launched by a Tu-22M3 BACKFIRE Russian bomber that was operating in the area at the time.

It is unlikely that the MV Aya was the intended target for this mission and was likely struck due to poor targeting procedures from Russian pilots using an aging munition.

It is a realistic possibility this incident occurred due to pilots incorrectly identifying MV Aya as their target in haste, wanting to depart the area immediately after launch for fear of being targeted by a Ukrainian surface to air missile.