U.S. Denounces Russia Potentially Targeting Civilian Ships In The Black Sea

Washington D.C./15.08.23/Turan:    The United States said on Monday it is concerned that Russia’s military may expand its targeting of Ukrainian grain facilities to include attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"Russia has publicly announced that all ships proceeding to Ukrainian ports in Black Sea waters will be considered as potential carriers of military cargo. This is, in our view, an unacceptable escalation that again demonstrates Moscow’s responsibility for grain not reaching the places where it needs to go," State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told TURAN's correspondent during a daily briefing.

"We’re continuing to monitor this situation carefully," Patel said.

Patel's comments came as Ukraine condemned Moscow after a Russian vessel fired warning shots and boarded a Turkish-owned cargo vessel in the Black Sea. Russia claimed it stopped the Sukru Okan to ensure it was not carrying "prohibited goods".

According to Patel, since Russia’s termination of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine has reported that Russia has attacked 26 port infrastructure facilities and destroyed over 220,000 tons of grain.

"Russia should rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative immediately. It is something that we know works," Patel concluded. "It worked to the tune of more than 32 million tons of grain, and it was instrumental in stabilizing global prices as well as a key factor in ensuring that grain gets to the places it needs to go."

Alex Raufoglu