The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has determined that starting from 21 July, it will treat all vessels heading to Russian and occupied ports in the Black Sea as those carrying military cargo with all the relevant risks.
"The Russian Federation has once again brutally violated the universal right to free navigation and deliberately undermines food security, condemning millions of people to starvation. By openly threatening civilian vessels transporting food from Ukrainian ports, launching missile attacks and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in peaceful cities, deliberately posing a military threat along trade routes, the Kremlin has turned the Black Sea into a danger zone, primarily for Russian vessels and vessels sailing in the Black Sea towards Russian seaports and Ukrainian seaports located on the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia. Responsibility for all risks lies entirely with the Russian leadership," the Defence Ministry said.
It is noted that the fate of the Moskva cruiser proves that the Ukrainian Defence Forces have the necessary means to repel Russian aggression at sea.
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine warns that starting from 00:00 on 21 July 2023, all vessels travelling in the Black Sea towards Russian seaports and Ukrainian seaports located in the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo with all the relevant risks.
In addition, shipping in the areas of the north-eastern Black Sea and the Kerch-Yenikal Strait of Ukraine is prohibited as dangerous, starting from 05:00 on 20 July 2023. The relevant navigation information has already been published.
The White House recently suggested that Russia may attack civilian vessels in the Black Sea, and has already laid additional sea mines. The United States believes that Russia is making a concerted effort to justify any attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea and to blame Ukraine for these attacks.
Russia has been shelling the grain infrastructure of southern Ukraine for several days after 17 July, when the Kerch bridge was once again blown up and on the same day Russia refused to extend the grain deal.