Title: Ukraine Warns of Risks to Ships Calling at Russian-Controlled Ports in Black Sea
Subtitle: Russia’s threat to ships in Ukrainian ports leads to reciprocal warning from Kyiv
Date: [Insert Date]
Moscow Threat Prompts Ukraine’s Warning Regarding Ships in Russian-Controlled Ports
In response to recent threats from Moscow, Ukraine has issued a warning stating that all ships calling at Russian-controlled ports in the Black Sea “may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo with all the relevant risks.” The country’s Ministry of Defence released a statement on Thursday, declaring that this warning will take effect at midnight on Friday.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence highlights the fate of the Russian cruiser Moskva, which was sunk by missiles over a year ago. The statement also addresses the use of naval drones by the Ukrainian navy against the Russian Black Sea fleet and the bridge to the Crimea peninsula.
In a tit-for-tat move, Russia had previously threatened ships calling at Ukrainian ports, withdrawing their previous security guarantees. The country announced that ships traveling to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports will be considered potential military targets.
Russia’s defence ministry warned that ships approaching Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea will be regarded as carriers of military cargo involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of Kyiv. Implementation of this new stance towards ships in the Black Sea will begin at midnight Moscow time.
Russia also declared certain parts of the Black Sea’s international waters temporarily unsafe for navigation, without specifying the affected areas.
To counter these threats, Ukraine announced the establishment of a temporary shipping route through Romania to facilitate the unblocking of international shipping in the northwestern part of the Black Sea. This move aims to ensure the continuation of Ukraine’s grain exports after Moscow’s withdrawal from an agreement that permitted food shipments from Ukrainian ports.
The tensions escalated further as a senior White House official claimed that Russia was contemplating attacking civilian ships in the Black Sea and blaming Ukrainian forces for the incidents. The official also alleged that Russia had laid additional sea mines around Ukrainian ports.
The United States’ state department spokesman echoed these concerns, accusing Russia of using food as a “weapon of war.” The spokesman highlighted the threats made against ships in international waters and the consecutive attacks on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa.
Last year, Ukraine’s Black Sea ports were blockaded by Russian warships until the Black Sea grain deal, facilitated by the UN and Turkey, reopened the ports. However, Moscow recently announced its withdrawal from the agreement, citing unfulfilled obligations related to the export of Russian food and fertilizers.
Ukraine, as well as several international bodies, condemned Russia’s decision, expressing concerns about the impact on global grain and food prices. Poorer countries, particularly in Africa, heavily rely on Ukrainian grain.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow would only return to the grain deal under certain conditions, including assurances that Russian fertilizers and food exports could reach the global market.
The attacks on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, which resulted in the destruction of storage facilities and grain terminals, prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to appeal for Western assistance in bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses.
As tension between Ukraine and Russia escalates, concerns grow over the implications for international shipping and food security. The international community continues to closely monitor the situation in the Black Sea region.