Russia may want to use sea mines to attack civilian grain ships in Ukraine’s ‘humanitarian corridor’ in the Black Sea. Before that warned the British Foreign Office. For example, by using mines instead of missiles, it would be easier for Russia to blame Ukraine.
The deployment of sea mines would be the next step in Russia’s efforts to disrupt Ukrainian exports of wheat and other agricultural products. After a full-scale invasion, Russia blockaded Ukraine’s Black Sea ports for months. Through Turkish and UN mediation, Russia agreed to a grain deal last summer, allowing Ukraine to send back grain in small increments. However, in July Russia refused to extend the agreement.
To avoid port blockades, Ukraine introduced ‘humanitarian corridors’ in mid-August. More than ten cargo ships have left Ukrainian waters via this near-coast route. Britain now says it has intelligence that Russia wants to place mines along this corridor.
This is not the first time Russia has used force to stop Ukrainian wheat exports. After the grain agreement ended, Russia frequently bombarded Ukrainian ports with drones and missiles. According to the British, at least 130 buildings and other facilities were damaged. In total, nearly 300,000 tonnes of grain was destroyed in the attacks, enough to feed more than 1.3 million people for a year, Britain said.
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