Russia To Consider All Ships Traveling To UKR Ports Party To Conflict

Grain markets have reacted to headlines from the Russian Defence Ministry stating, "it will consider all ships travelling to Ukrainian ports on black sea as potential carriers of military cargoes from 20 July."

• According to RIA, the Russian DefMin says, "countries, under which flags vessels are travelling to Ukrainian ports on the black sea, will be considered as parties to conflict on Ukrainian side."
• News that Russia would move to block the export of Ukrainian grain was expected, but may come with additional weight considering a sustained Russian bombardment against Ukrainian grain infrastructure since Moscow announced its withdrawal from the deal.
• FT reports: "Russia pummelled the port city of Odesa with a second night of air strikes, described by Ukrainian officials as an attempt by Moscow to choke off grain exports to global food markets."
• Ukrainian Presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said Russia, “deliberately and intentionally struck at grain terminals and other port facilities . . . to destroy the possibility of shipping Ukrainian grain.”
• The breadth of the Russian response is likely to quash an optimistic expectation that international shipping firms could continue limited operations from Ukrainian ports.