Statement by the Ministry of Defenсe of Ukraine

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.