The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has announced that Ukraine may consider all vessels sailing through the Black Sea to Russian seaports and Ukrainian seaports in territories temporarily occupied by Russia as vessels carrying military cargo, with all the accompanying risks, from 00:00 on 21 July 2023, the CFTS portal reports.
According to the ministry, Russia has once again grossly violated the universal right to freedom of navigation, and it is deliberately undermining food security, condemning millions of people to starvation.
"By openly threatening civilian vessels transporting food from Ukrainian ports, launching missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in peaceful cities, and deliberately creating a military threat on trade routes, the Kremlin has turned the Black Sea into a danger zone, primarily for Russian vessels and vessels sailing through the Black Sea to Russian seaports and Ukrainian seaports in Ukrainian territory temporarily occupied by Russia. The responsibility for all risks lies entirely with the Russian leadership," the ministry said in a statement.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the fate of the Moskva cruiser has proven that the Ukrainian Defence Forces have the means necessary to repel Russian aggression at sea.
"In addition, shipping in the Northeastern parts of the Black Sea and Ukraine’s Kerch - Yenikale Strait is prohibited and considered dangerous, starting from 05:00 on 20 July 2023. The relevant shipping information for mariners has already been published," the Defense Ministry said.
As reported previously, on 19 July, the Russian Defense Ministry declared several areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters in the Black Sea temporarily dangerous for navigation. The Russian ministry has said that all ships sailing through the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports would be considered potential carriers of military cargo from 00:00 on 20 July.
