Russia to deem Ukraine-bound ships 'potential carriers of military cargo' from Wednesday eve

By REUTERS

JULY 19, 2023 18:37

Updated: JULY 19, 2023 19:14

The Joint Coordination Centre officials are seen onboard Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni, carrying Ukrainian grain, during an inspection in the Black Sea off Kilyos, near Istanbul, Turkey August 3, 2022. (photo credit: TURKISH DEFENCE MINISTRY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) — The Joint Coordination Centre officials are seen onboard Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni, carrying Ukrainian grain, during an inspection in the Black Sea off Kilyos, near Istanbul, Turkey August 3, 2022.

(photo credit: TURKISH DEFENCE MINISTRY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

"All ships proceeding to Ukrainian ports in Black Sea waters will be considered as potential carriers of military cargo," the Russian Defense Ministry stated.

Russia's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday it would deem all ships traveling to Ukrainian ports to be potential carriers of military cargo and their flag countries to be parties to the conflict on the Ukrainian side.

The move follows Russia's decision this week to pull out of the UN-brokered Black Sea grain export deal which had guaranteed the safety of Ukrainian exports for the past year.

"In connection with the termination of the Black Sea Initiative and the end of the maritime humanitarian corridor, from 00.00 Moscow time on July 20, 2023 (2100 GMT on Wednesday) all ships proceeding to Ukrainian ports in Black Sea waters will be considered as potential carriers of military cargo," the ministry said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

Complications following the expiration of the Black Sea deal

Russia was also declaring southeastern and northwestern parts of the Black Sea's international waters to be temporarily unsafe for navigation, it said, without giving details about the parts of the sea which would be affected.

The Turkish- and United Nations-brokered Black Sea grain deal, which was intended to facilitate Russian and Ukrainian agricultural exports, expired on July 17, after Russia declined to renew its participation.

Vessels are seen as they await inspection under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, in the southern anchorage of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey December 11, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/YORUK ISIK/FILE PHOTO)

Moscow complains that a parallel deal to ease rules for Russian exports of food and fertilizer were not being implemented. Kyiv has called for security guarantees to allow shipping to resume without Russian participation.