The decision is a mirror measure to Russia’s pullout from the grain deal and militarization of the Black Sea.

The Ukrainian authorities have decided to respond in kind to the threats from the Russian Ministry of Defense, which recently declared that any vessels heading to Ukrainian ports through the Black Sea would be considered military targets.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated that all ships moving in the waters of the Black Sea towards Russian and Ukrainian ports located in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories could be regarded by Ukraine as carrying military cargo, with all the associated risks. 

The new regulations are set to take effect from 00:00 on July 21. Additionally, Kyiv has announced the prohibition of navigation in the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait, starting from 5:00 on July 21, and relevant notifications for mariners have already been published in navigational systems.

The Kerch bridge was hit by Ukrainian forces.

YouTube capture.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense emphasized that the Kremlin has turned the Black Sea into a dangerous zone by openly threatening civilian vessels transporting food supplies from Ukrainian ports, carrying out missile strikes and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in peaceful cities, and deliberately creating a military threat on trade routes. The ministry squarely places the responsibility for all risks on the Russian leadership.

Previously, the Russian military announced that all vessels heading to Ukrainian ports would be treated as carriers of military cargo, and their countries of origin would be considered participants in military actions on Kyiv's territory. This decision came in response to the collapse of the grain deal, as explained by Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's press secretary. He clarified that the Ministry of Defense's statement was not related to the Crimean Bridge explosion.

On 17 July, Russia declared its withdrawal from the agreement on the "grain corridor," which facilitated the export of over 30 million tons of Ukrainian food products to global markets within a year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the UN and Turkey, the guarantor parties of the "grain deal," with a proposal to continue grain exports without Russia's involvement.

A Russian supersonic missile damaged a grain terminar in Odessa. YouTube capture.

However, so far, Kyiv has been unable to secure guarantees for the security of the corridor. The US refused to provide escort for grain-carrying vessels, and Turkey also hesitated to deploy its own fleet, considering it a risky move.

On 18-20 July, Russia attacked the city port of Odessa with six supersonic missiles in response to Ukraine’s successful attack on the Kerch Bridge. One person was killed and four were injured while several civilian buildings were destroyed, including a major grain storage. Overall, 19 missiles were launched on the country during the night of 20 July.