Russia Bolsters Vessel Protection Amid Black Sea Tensions

Russia is taking measures to protect its vessels in the Azov-Black Sea basin amid heightened tensions caused by drone attacks on commercial ships. The Russian Transport Ministry has established a working group to identify new routes and shift cargo flows to other modes of transport, according to AzerNEWS.

The move comes as Russia and Ukraine have carried out attacks on each other's export facilities and vessels in the Black Sea region, leading to rising wheat prices on global markets. The Ukrainian Agricultural Council has warned that Russian attacks on shipping near the port of Odesa could restrict exports during the crucial harvest season.

The Russian Transport Ministry stated that several companies have expressed their readiness to handle additional cargo volumes at their terminals and increase transportation speeds, while additional measures are being implemented to ensure navigation safety and protect vessels in the Azov-Black Sea basin.