A picture shows the explosion on board (Picture: AFP)

A ship hit a Russian mine in the Black Sea, triggering an explosion on board, Ukrainian officials claimed on Thursday.

The Panama-flagged bulk carrier was headed to a Danube River port in the Odesa region.

This is the latest incident of a civilian vessel hitting an explosive in the sea in what Ukraine describes as stepped-up attacks on shipping and port infrastructure.

Chaos ensued as flames broke out on the upper deck, leaving the captain and a sailor injured.

The incident happened in the early hours on Thursday morning (Picture: AFP)

The sailor, an Egyptian citizen was rushed to hospital in the city of Izmail, the head of the Odesa regional prosecutor’s office said at a briefing.

‘A Panama-flagged civilian vessel was blown up on an enemy sea mine in the Black Sea…

‘The vessel lost its course and control, and a fire broke out on the upper deck,’ Ukraine’s southern military command said on Telegram.

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Two sailors were injured.