The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine warned that from 12:00 p.m. on 21 July, all ships sailing in the Black Sea towards the ports of the russian federation and the Ukrainian occupied seaports could be considered by Ukraine as those carrying "military cargo with all the corresponding risks."
This was mentioned in the Ministry of Defence's announcement.
It was stressed that navigation in the areas of the northeastern part of the Black Sea and the Kerch-Yenikal Strait is prohibited as hazardous from 05:00 a.m. on 20 July 2023, and that the relevant navigational information for seafarers has already been published.
The Ministry of Defence of the russian Federation stated on 19 July that from 20 July, all ships in the Black Sea heading to Ukrainian ports would be considered as potential carriers of military cargo. The decision was made due to the discontinuation of the Black Sea Initiative and the closure of the maritime humanitarian corridor.
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine emphasised that by this action, the terrorist state of russia "once again brutally violated the universal right to free navigation and deliberately undermined food security, condemning millions of people to starvation."
The ministry added that the fate of the Moscow cruiser, which was sunk in 2022, proves that "the Ukrainian Defence Forces have the necessary means to repel russian aggression at sea."
Background. As Mind reported, russia declared that it would attack all ships in the Black Sea heading to Ukrainian ports.