Starting July 21, all ships sailing in the Black Sea to russian or occupied Ukrainian ports will be treated as legitimate military targets

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine warns that starting from 00:00 on July 21, 2023, all vessels sailing in the Black Sea in the direction of the seaports of the russian federation and Ukrainian seaports located in the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by russia may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo with all the relevant risks.

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

The russian federation has once again blatantly violated the universal right to free navigation and deliberately undermines food security, condemning millions of people to starvation.

By openly threatening civilian vessels 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 vessels and vessels sailing in the Black Sea towards russian seaports and Ukrainian seaports located on the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by russia. Responsibility for all risks lies entirely with the russian leadership.

The fate of the moskva cruiser proves that the Ukrainian Defense Forces have the necessary means to repel russian aggression at sea.