In a significant turn of events, a Russian warship recently resorted to firing warning shots at a cargo ship in the Black Sea. The incident occurred when the captain of the ship allegedly failed to respond to a request for inspection. It is worth noting that Russia had pulled out of the Black Sea grain deal last month, which allowed Ukraine to transport agricultural produce through the Black Sea.
According to Reuters, Russia’s officials suspected that all ships heading into Ukrainian waters could potentially be carrying weapons. In response, Russia’s Vasily Bykov patrol ship fired automatic weapons at the Palau-flagged Sukru Okan ship after the captain ignored the request to stop for inspection.
Russia claimed that the ship was moving towards Izmail, Ukraine, but shipping data showed that it was actually heading to Sulina, Romania. The shots were fired when the vessel was near the coast of Bulgaria. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the warning shots were intended to halt the vessel.
After the cargo ship stopped, Russian military personnel boarded the ship from a helicopter and conducted the inspection. Once the inspection was completed, the ship resumed its journey towards Izmail, as reported by the defense ministry.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, condemned the incident, describing it as a clear violation of international law, an act of piracy, and a crime against civilian vessels in the waters of other states. He emphasized that Ukraine would take appropriate action in response to the incident.
Ukraine’s Operational Southern Command spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk expressed concern over Russia’s actions, stating that Russia wanted to assert its authority to stop ships and deploy aircraft in the Black Sea without facing repercussions. She warned that Russia’s actions could serve as a signal to all civilian ships in the area.
It is important to note that Russia and Ukraine had previously reached a deal, mediated by the United Nations and Turkey, which reopened three Ukrainian Black Sea ports and provided assurance that ships entering the ports would not be attacked. However, Russia decided not to renew the agreement in July, citing delays in its own exports.
In conclusion, the recent firing of warning shots by a Russian warship towards a cargo ship in the Black Sea has escalated tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The incident highlights the ongoing disputes between the two countries over shipping and agricultural deals in the region.
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