Russia has targeted the ports of Odesa and Mykolaiv after threatening cargo vessels traveling to Ukraine. The White House says Moscow may seek to blame Kyiv for shipping attacks.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
For the third night in a row, Russia has targeted airstrikes on Ukrainian ports in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions along the Black Sea. The ports were used to export Ukrainian grain to the global market until Russia withdrew from an agreement guaranteeing the safety of the ships carrying foodstuffs.
As Russia is no longer a party to the Black Sea grain deal, the White House said Russian forces could attack civilian ships attempting to transport Ukrainian grain and attempt to place blame on Kyiv for such an attack.
Ukraine says Black Sea ships heading to Russia could be targeted
Ukraine on Wednesday said that ships going to ports controlled by Russia on the Black Sea would be treated as potentially transferring military cargo in a tit-for-tat move after Russia announced a similar move on Tuesday.
Earlier this week, Russia exited a deal protecting grain exports from Ukraine, leading to rising tensions over the Black Sea. Ukraine had signaled it was prepared to continue exports, which led to Moscow announcing it would consider cargo ships traveling to Ukraine through the Black Sea as potential military targets.
"Starting from 00:00 on July 21, 2023 (2100 GMT), all vessels in the Black Sea heading towards Russia's seaports and Ukrainian seaports located in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo, with all the associated risks," the Defense Ministry said.
Ukrainian officials said navigation would be restricted on "the northeastern part of the Black Sea and the Kerch Strait" near Crimea
As Russia had banned navigation on the northwestern and southeastern parts of the sea, Ukraine's move would make traffic in most of the Black Sea precarious.
Ukraine's foreign ministry had previously condemned Russia's warning on ships heading to Ukrainian ports.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns any threats to use force against civilian ships, regardless of their flag," it said.
Ukraine's foreign ministry said: "The intention to consider foreign ships as military targets grossly violates Russia's obligations under international law, not only to Ukraine, but also to all countries engaged in peaceful shipping in the Black Sea."
It added that Russia's statement had no legitimate military purpose, but was intending to intimidate Ukraine and other neutral states.
source: DW
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