Russia may attack civilian ships in Black Sea – US

A representative of the US National Security Council warned on Wednesday that Russia may be preparing to attack civilian ships in the Black Sea.

 

“According to our information, Russia has placed additional sea mines near the approaches to Ukrainian ports,” Adam Hodge said in a statement, “which we believe is a coordinated effort to justify any attack on civilian vessels in the Black Sea and blame Ukraine.”

 

A few hours before the announcement, the Russian Ministry of Defence said that all ships bound for Ukrainian ports were considered potential carriers of military cargo.

 

Last week Moscow refused to renew the grain agreement between Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations. The deal, brokered by Turkey and the UN last year, had established a safe maritime corridor for the passage of ships loaded with grain and other agricultural products for export from Ukrainian ports.

 

US officials sharply criticized Russia’s refusal to extend the grain agreement and called the blockade of Ukrainian ports an “act of military aggression”.