Russia to consider ships going to Ukrainian ports as ‘potential military cargo carriers’

ISTANBUL

Russia on Wednesday said that it will consider all ships en route to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea as “potential carriers of military cargo,” after Moscow withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative earlier this week.

A Russian Defense Ministry statement said that the decision will be effective as of Wednesday midnight (2100GMT), and that it was taken “in connection with the termination of the Black Sea (Grain) Initiative and the curtailment of the maritime humanitarian corridor.”

“Accordingly, the countries of such vessels will be considered to be involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime,” the statement further said.

It also said that a number of areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea have been declared “temporarily dangerous for navigation.”

“Corresponding information warnings on the withdrawal of safety guarantees to mariners have been issued in accordance with the established procedure,” the statement said.

• Black Sea
• Black Sea Grain Initiative
• Russia