BREAKING NEWS: Ukrainian Defense Ministry Warns Ships Using The Black Sea

BREAKING NEWS: Ukrainian Defense Ministry Warns Using The Black Sea

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine warns that from 00:00 July 21, 2023, all vessels heading through the waters of the Black Sea in the direction of seaports of the Russian Federation and Ukrainian seaports located on the territory of Ukraine that is temporarily occupied by Russia may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo with all the associated risks.

In addition, navigation in the areas of the North-Eastern part of the Black Sea and the Kerch-Yenikal Strait of Ukraine is prohibited as dangerous, from 05:00 on July 20, 2023. Relevant navigational information for mariners has already been published.

The Russian Federation has once again brutally violated the universal right to free navigation for the whole world and is deliberately undermining food security, condemning millions of people to starvation.

By openly threatening civilian ships transporting food from Ukrainian ports, launching missile attacks and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in peaceful cities, deliberately creating a military threat on trade routes, the Kremlin has turned the Black Sea into a danger zone, primarily for Russian ships and ships heading in the waters of the Black Sea in the direction of seaports of the Russian Federation and Ukrainian seaports located on the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia. The responsibility for all risks lies entirely with the Russian leadership.

The fate of the cruiser “Moscow” proves that the Defense Forces of Ukraine have the necessary means to repel Russian aggression at sea.

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The statement released read:

Russian federation has once again brutally violated the freedom of navigation enjoyed by the entire world, and it continues to deliberately undermine international food security by exposing millions of people to the danger of famine.

By openly threatening the Ukrainian vessels which carry food out of Ukrainian ports, targeting with missile and drone attacks civil infrastructure in peaceful cities, and engineering a military threat on commercial seaways, the kremlin has transformed the Black sea into a space of unsafety primarily for russian vessels en route to their domestic ports and to the ports of Ukraine under temporary occupation. The russian authorities hold entire responsibility for exposure to risks.

The fate of Moscow cruising ship demonstrates that Ukraine’s Defence Forces have all necessary means to fight back on the sea.

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine warns that from the 21st of July 2023 00:00 Kyiv Time, all vessels in the Black sea waters that head to the ports of the russian federation or to temporarily occupied ports of Ukraine, may be considered for risk assessment as vessels carrying a military cargo.

Moreover, navigation in the North-East Black Sea region and the Kerch-Yenikal strait has been declared dangerous and prohibited as of the 20th of July 2023 05:00 Kyiv Time. Relevant information has been published to the attention of navigators.