Ukraine issued an official statement responding to Russian threat to consider all cargo ships sailing to/from Ukrainian ports, as carrying military cargoes and therefore, objects open to Navy attack. Ukraine retaliated with mirror threat to consider cargo ships sailing to Russian ports, as potential carriers of military cargo from July 21.
Consequences might be most harmful for Russia. Ukraine won’t lose much, Ukrainian shipping is about non-existent, except grain deal, since the beginning of war. Ukraine proved its’ ability to find and destroy ships in Black sea by successful sinking of a number of Russian Navy ships. Russian Black sea ports, first of all Novorossiysk, are very important for Russian import/export supply chains. If they’re cut, it will be probably, heavier blow, than oil/gas sanctions.
A number of western companies continue doing business with Russia, MSC for one, is running Line B Service with scheduled Novorossiysk calls. All shipping companies advised to immediately cancel all their Black sea services with Russian ports calls.
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