Kiev responds to Moscow: Ships sailing in the Black Sea to Russian seaports will be considered targets of attack
All ships that will be sent to Russian ports or ports in occupied territories will be considered as carrying military cargo. This is the Ukrainian Defence Ministry's response to the Russian Federation's threats on Black Sea shipping.**
"The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine warns that as of 00:00 on July 21, 2023, all ships sailing in the Black Sea in the direction of seaports of the Russian Federation and Ukrainian seaports located on the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo with all associated risks," the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense warned.
The institution also said in a statement that the Russian Federation has once again blatantly violated the universal right to freedom of navigation for the whole world and is deliberately undermining food security, condemning millions of people to hunger.
"It openly threatens civilian ships carrying food from Ukrainian ports, carries out missile attacks and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure in peaceful cities, deliberately creating a military threat on trade routes. The Kremlin has turned the Black Sea into a danger zone, primarily for Russian ships and vessels sailing in the Black Sea towards Russian and Ukrainian seaports located on the territory temporarily occupied by Russia Ukraine. The responsibility for all risks lies entirely with the Russian leadership," reads the Ukrainian Defence Ministry's message.
Russia announced its withdrawal from the "grain agreement" unilaterally. Afterwards, the Russian military struck port infrastructure in the Odessa region, destroying 60,000 tonnes of grain that was destined for China.
In addition, the Russian Ministry of Defence said that from 20 July all ships in the Black Sea following the Ukrainian port would be considered "potential carriers of military cargo".
