Ukraine calls for a UN Security Council meeting over Russia’s attacks on civilian vessels
This was reported by Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Andriy Sibiga in a statement on the social media platform X.
According to Sibiga, Russia has attacked at least three civilian cargo ships over the past few days. Several dozen crew members were killed or injured as a result of the strikes.
On 22 July, not a single vessel passed through the Ukrainian maritime corridor. Traffic has effectively ground to a halt at the height of the harvest, when grain exports through Black Sea ports usually increase.
At the same time, Ukraine has not announced the official closure of the maritime corridor. This refers to the absence of traffic over a 24-hour period due to a sharp increase in the danger to civilian vessels and their crews.
Sibiga described the Russian strikes as deliberate economic and humanitarian terrorism. He compared Russia’s actions to Iran’s attacks on energy routes in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Russia is attempting to disrupt global food markets in the Black Sea.
Ukraine has proposed holding a meeting on 27 July
Ukraine has requested that an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council be convened on 27 July. Kyiv is calling on the international community to demand that Russia cease its attacks on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
This applies in particular to countries that depend on Ukrainian food exports. According to Sibiga, continued Russian attacks could lead to rising food prices and an increased risk of famine for millions of families in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
“No country has the right to starve the world,” the diplomat emphasised.
At the time of Sibiga’s statement, the discussion centred specifically on Ukraine’s request to hold the meeting. The final date and time are to be confirmed by the United Nations.
Border guards rescued the crew of the GOLDEN ROSE
On the night of 22 July, a Russian drone struck the civilian bulk carrier GOLDEN ROSE in the Black Sea. A fire broke out in the stern of the vessel following the strike.
Coastguard vessels evacuated 16 crew members. Among those rescued were two Syrian nationals and 14 Egyptian nationals.
This strike was part of a series of Russian attacks on merchant vessels and port infrastructure in the Odesa region. Earlier, Russia had attacked the dry cargo ship GOLDEN LEO, which had left a Ukrainian port carrying grain and was sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau.
Maersk has suspended a specific service via Chornomorsk
The international shipping company Maersk has temporarily suspended cargo services via the Black Sea fishing port. The company explained that, due to current conditions, it can no longer continue this service.
Cargo that was due to be delivered to the Black Sea fishing port will be redirected to Constanta in Romania, according to Reuters.
Maersk’s decision does not mean the closure of the entire Chornomorsk seaport. The Chornomorsk fishing port is a separate operator, whilst the port of Chornomorsk and other ports in the Greater Odesa area continue to operate.
According to estimates by traders and analysts cited by the agency, Ukraine has already lost around a third of its capacity to export grain via Black Sea ports due to Russian missile and drone strikes.
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