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| The Olenegorsky Gornyak warship stands moored at a harbour of Novorossiysk, Russia. |
A Russian naval vessel discharged warning shots towards a cargo ship en route to the port of Izmail in southern Ukraine, as stated by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Sunday.
To compel the ship to halt, cautionary rounds were fired from light automatic weaponry aboard a Russian naval ship, the ministry conveyed via Telegram.
As indicated by Moscow, the master of the Palau-flagged ship named Sukru Okan had disregarded an instruction to halt for an "examination regarding the transportation of restricted items."
Subsequently, a Russian military helicopter carrying personnel was dispatched to inspect the vessel. After inspection, the ship was permitted to proceed with its voyage to the Ukrainian port, according to the same source.
This development surfaces in conjunction with Ukraine's commencement of ship registrations desiring to avail a secure "humanitarian corridor" in the Black Sea. The objective is to facilitate the departure of stranded cargo ships.
At present, it remains uncertain whether Russia will formally acknowledge or adhere to this initiative.
Izmail's river port, situated in the Odessa region, has evolved into a principal exit avenue for Ukrainian agricultural produce following Moscow's annulment of the grain export agreement.
In mid-July, Moscow terminated the accord that had granted Ukrainian grain shipments from southern ports since the previous summer, despite Russia's blockade.
On the 19th of July, Moscow issued a warning, designating any vessel traveling to or from Ukrainian ports as a potential target. In response, Kiev asserted the same measure would apply to Russian vessels.
Since then, incidents have surged in the Black Sea on both sides, and the Russian military has launched attacks on several occasions against Odessa—a key southern Ukrainian port—and the river ports of Izmail and Reni. These actions have been condemned by Kiev as deliberate hindrances to its exports.
Ukraine retaliated by targeting the Russian port of Novorossiysk and multiple Russian ships in the Black Sea, including an oil tanker.
