October 5th 2023.
Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine War last February, a number of cargo ships have been stuck in the Black Sea. The British Government has warned that civilian ships may be next on Russia's list of targets, and will likely blame Ukraine for any destruction.
Last month, intelligence officials revealed that the attempted missile strike against a cargo ship in the Black Sea was only the beginning. According to declassified information, Russia may continue to target non-military ships carrying essentials such as grains by laying sea mines near ports. The Foreign Office stated that Russia wants to avoid openly sinking civilian ships, instead, falsely laying blame on Ukraine.
The Black Sea is bounded by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, and Georgia. The port city of Odesa in southern Ukraine has become a common target of Russian attacks. In August, Ukraine proposed a "humanitarian corridor" to the International Maritime Organization, allowing ships stuck in ports to safely cross the sea.
It is believed that Vladimir Putin seeks to "deter the export of Ukrainian grain". Foreign Secretary James Cleverly described this as "pernicious targeting of civilian shipping in the Black Sea", which "demonstrates Putin's total disregard for civilian lives and the needs of the world's most vulnerable". The UK and its allies stand united against the Russian president and his attempts to harm Ukraine.
The Home Office described "aggression" as key to Russia's strategy in the Black Sea. This is as some 22,000,000 tonnes of grain remain stuck within its borders amid a wartime blockade. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, expired in July, and Russia pulled out of the deal shortly afterwards. This shook global food prices and threatened the lives of those facing hunger, as well as shoppers already hard-hit by the cost of living crisis.
The British Government believes that this move destroyed 300,000 tonnes of grain, enough to feed 1,300,000 people. Since then, the Home Office has reported increased targeting of Ukrainian ports and civilian infrastructure, including 130 harbours in Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Reni.
The UK is working with Ukraine, and other partners, to put in place arrangements to improve the safety of shipping. There are intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities in place to monitor Russian activity in the Black Sea. The aim is to attribute and call out any further Russian attacks on civilian shipping or infrastructure.
The UK is committed to ensuring Ukraine can continue to export its agricultural produce through all appropriate routes, including the "humanitarian corridor", overland, and via the Danube. Despite this, huge quantities of grain remain stuck in the Black Sea. British and international partners must remain vigilant against Russia's attempts to harm Ukraine, and the rest of the world.
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