Ukraine’s Acting Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga has condemned Russia’s persistent assaults on civilian shipping within the Black Sea, asserting that these actions represent a calculated campaign of terror rather than retaliatory measures for any specific incident. He emphasized, “The Russian terror against the Black Sea maritime corridor is not a ‘response’ or ‘revenge’ for anything. Do not be misled by the false narrative that Russian strikes have provoked actions by Ukraine elsewhere; it is deliberate misinformation,” he stated.
Sibiga pointed out that Russia’s campaign against civilian maritime traffic has been ongoing since 2022, during which time Moscow has systematically targeted Ukrainian ports, critical infrastructure, agricultural export supplies, civilian vessels, crews, and grain storage facilities.
According to Sibiga, Russian bombardments have damaged or destroyed 1,054 port infrastructure facilities, impacted 232 civilian ships, and resulted in the deaths or injuries of 307 civilians. He asserted that these aggressive acts were executed without any legitimate justifications or causes.
The diplomat characterized the Ukrainian maritime corridor as vital for global food security, noting that since its launch in September 2023, it has transported 208.9 million tons of cargo, including 123.8 million tons of grain, feeding families in over 55 countries. Sibiga underscored that this is precisely what Russia seeks to undermine.
“By weaponizing hunger, Russia is attacking not only Ukraine but millions of people worldwide. Such actions are indefensible. We call for a strong, unified international response and demand an immediate end to Moscow’s attacks on freedom of navigation, as well as its attempts to convert the Black Sea into another Hormuz Strait,” Sibiga concluded.
Context
- On July 15, Reuters reported that due to Russian attacks on ports, especially in the Odesa region, Ukraine had lost approximately one-third of its grain export capacity in the Black Sea.
- Heightened strikes on commercial vessels and port infrastructure have led to difficulties in grain unloading, as ship owners refuse to direct vessels to Ukrainian Black Sea ports for fear of attacks, with some traders halting purchases in Odesa, according to reports on July 17.
- On July 22, acting Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga announced Ukraine’s demand for a UN Security Council meeting to be convened on July 27 in response to attacks by Russia on foreign civilian ships in the Black Sea.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on July 23 that Russia is attempting to block Ukraine’s maritime grain corridor.
