冲突蔓延海洋领域，俄乌袭击瞄准对方航运

【环球时报驻俄罗斯特派记者 肖新新】The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has increasingly expanded into maritime domains, with both sides intensifying attacks on each other's port infrastructure and various vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. According to reports from the Ukrainian News Agency, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority announced on the 20th that an international cargo ship was attacked by three Russian cruise missiles in the Black Sea near the port of Odesa on the 19th, resulting in 10 fatalities. Ukrainian Acting Foreign Minister Kuleba described Russia's actions as "terroristic." The Ukrainian unmanned systems forces reported on the 20th that from the night of the 19th to the early morning of the 20th, Ukraine attacked five Russian cargo ships and five oil tankers in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the 20th that from the night of the 19th to the early morning of the 20th, Russian forces continued to strike oil and gas facilities in the southern port of Odesa.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the 20th that from the night of the 19th to the early morning of the 20th, Russian forces used air-based precision-guided weapons and cruise missiles to target fuel and oil storage tanks at the port of Odesa. According to data cited by RIA Novosti from the Russian Ministry of Defense on the 19th, Russia has struck at least 37 Ukrainian cargo ships, container ships, oil tankers, and other vessels in the Black Sea and surrounding waters over the past week.

According to a previous report by Reuters, over four years since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the export of agricultural products such as grain and vegetable oil remains Ukraine's largest source of foreign exchange income, with over 90% of these exports transported through three ports in Odesa Oblast. In recent weeks, Russia has significantly intensified attacks on Ukraine's port infrastructure along the Black Sea coast and on cargo ships exporting grain and other agricultural products through the ports of Odesa Oblast. The Ukrainian Agrarian Council, a major farmers' union, stated that due to the escalation of Russian missile and drone attacks, Ukraine's capacity to export grain through its Black Sea ports has decreased by approximately one-third. As of the 15th of this month, four out of 13 major grain export terminals in Ukraine have suspended grain trading.

According to the Ukrainian News Agency, Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal stated on the 19th that the Ukrainian government is working with the military to develop solutions to enhance shipping security and help protect civilian vessels and sailors from Russian attacks.

Additionally, the Financial Times reported that since the beginning of this month, Ukraine has also continued to increase its attacks on Russian vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to disrupt the fuel and logistical supply lines necessary for Russia's military operations in southern Ukraine and Crimea. The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Kitack Lim, condemned the attacks on vessels in the Sea of Azov on the 13th, stating that such actions jeopardize the safety of seafarers, threaten navigation safety, disrupt global supply chains, and undermine the principles upon which international shipping relies.

The commander of the Ukrainian unmanned systems forces, Brauti, stated on social media on the 20th that in the first 20 days of this month, Ukraine has struck a total of 183 vessels, including oil tankers, belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, and has targeted 103 energy facility nodes in the Crimea region, with the Kerch ferry capacity having lost 75% due to Ukrainian attacks.

Due to the attacks by Ukrainian forces, Russia has recently suspended shipping on the Don River–Sea of Azov Canal. The Russian Ministry of Agriculture recently issued a statement indicating that it is working with relevant agencies and the business community to develop alternative transportation routes. The Russian Ministry of Transport also stated that it is taking all necessary measures to ensure smooth cargo logistics and may resort to other transportation methods if necessary.

Reuters mentioned that as the world's largest wheat exporter, up to one-quarter of Russia's wheat exports must pass through the Sea of Azov. Russia's main grain-producing regions, Rostov Oblast and Krasnodar Krai, are both located along the Sea of Azov, and Russia's second-largest port in the Black Sea is also located in the Kerch Strait. Many analysts and international organizations have warned that the Russia-Ukraine conflict could pose risks to global food trade, as the Black Sea is a crucial export route for grain from both countries.

According to reports from AFP and the Ukrainian News Agency, as the maritime conflict between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, the safety of civilian vessels navigating in the relevant waters and the export of grain may be further affected. Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu, during his visit to Kyiv on the 16th, stated that the Russia-Ukraine conflict should not spread to the Black Sea. The security of the Black Sea waters is under threat, and the risk of escalation of the conflict is increasing. Attacks on ports, oil tankers, and fishing vessels, which threaten civilian lives, are unacceptable.