On Friday, Moscow strongly denounced what it termed a Ukrainian “terrorist attack” on a civilian vessel in the Kerch Strait. This condemnation follows two separate incidents involving Ukrainian drones targeting Russian interests in the Black Sea near Crimea and a major Russian port, leading to promises of retaliation from Moscow.
Moscow’s Response
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was clear in her rebuke, stating, “There can be no justification for such barbaric actions, they will not go unanswered, and their authors and perpetrators will inevitably be punished.” Her comments were made public on the Telegram messaging app.
The tensions in the Black Sea have been escalating, especially after Moscow’s withdrawal from a key export agreement three weeks ago. That decision allowed Ukraine to ship millions of tons of grain across the Black Sea for sale on world markets, and since the withdrawal, Russia has carried out repeated strikes on Ukrainian ports, including Odesa.
The Attack Details
An anonymous official with Ukraine’s Security Service confirmed to the Associated Press that they were behind the attack on the Russian tanker transporting fuel for Russian forces. A sea drone filled with 450kg (992 pounds) of TNT was used in the attack.
Russia’s Federal Agency for Marine and River Transport detailed the damage, stating, “The Sig tanker … suffered a hole in the engine room near the waterline on the starboard side, presumably as a result of a sea drone attack.” They also noted that there were no casualties among the 11 crew members. In contrast, Vladimir Rogov, a Kremlin-installed official in Ukraine’s partially occupied southern Zaporizhzhia region, reported that several crew members were wounded by broken glass.
Vasyl Malyuk, who leads Ukraine’s Security Service, without specifying Ukraine’s responsibility, stated that “such special operations are conducted in the territorial waters of Ukraine and are completely legal.” He justified the explosions as “an absolutely logical and effective step with regard to the enemy.”
The attack briefly disrupted traffic on the Kerch Bridge and ferry transport. Tugboats were deployed to assist the tanker, which is under U.S. sanctions for providing jet fuel to Russian forces fighting in Syria, according to Russia’s Tass news agency.
Implications for Russian Shipping
Earlier, Ukraine’s strike on Novorossiysk halted maritime traffic for a few hours, marking the first time a commercial Russian port has been targeted in the 18-month-old conflict. Shipping expert Jayendu Krishna told the Associated Press that these attacks have left Russian shipping activity “largely unaffected.”
Krishna believes that these incidents may increase the risk of Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports rather than pressure Russia to halt attacks and reinstate the grain deal. He said, “Every time anything happens to Russia, you see Putin in retaliation mode … therefore, you may see further attacks on other parts of Ukraine.” He also added that it’s hard to imagine Russia giving in, “unless and until their banks have smooth operations, and they’re able to export their cargo uninterruptedly.”
Russia’s Intentions
A Telegram post on Saturday by Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, hinted at an increase in attacks against Ukrainian ports in response to Kyiv’s attacks on Russian ships. “Apparently, the strikes on Odesa, Izmail, and other places were not enough for them,” he wrote.
In a new development, Russia’s defense Ministry announced capturing a settlement in Ukraine’s easternmost Luhansk region on Saturday, declaring, “In the area of Kupiansk … the settlement of Novoselivske was liberated.”
Efforts for Peace
Elsewhere, a two-day summit aiming to find a peaceful settlement to the war commenced in Saudi Arabia. Senior officials from around 40 countries, excluding Russia, will attempt to agree on key principles to end the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the importance of the summit, expressing gratitude to Saudi Arabia for the platform.
The main Ukrainian envoy to the summit in Jeddah, chief Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak, discussed the talks on Friday night, stating, “I expect that the conversation will be difficult, but behind us is truth, behind us goodness.”
Maria Zakharova, commenting on the talks, described the notion of making decisions without Moscow’s participation as “absurd” but acknowledged that delegates have “full scope for creativity” in discussing the issue.
Conclusion
The attacks on Russian shipping interests signal an escalation in the Black Sea region, with both sides committing to retaliatory measures. As the Ukrainian naval capabilities grow and the area becomes an increasingly vital battleground, the conflict’s complexity continues to deepen.
Despite the rising tensions, the international community is actively seeking peaceful solutions. However, the exclusion of Russia from the recent peace talks may pose a challenge to reaching a consensus.
The situation remains fluid, and the developments in the Black Sea will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the trajectory of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The world watches with anticipation, hoping for peaceful resolutions but bracing for potential further escalation.
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