Russia's FESCO Halts Black Sea Shipments Amid Escalating Drone Attacks

Russian logistics and shipping company FESCO has suspended new shipment orders through the Black Sea following a Ukrainian drone attack on one of its vessels, highlighting growing disruptions to global shipping.

The attack occurred last week, with Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom stating that the vessel Yanina sank in the Black Sea overnight from Friday to Saturday after being damaged by Ukrainian seaborne drones. The ship was carrying frozen food and construction materials.

FESCO is one of Russia's largest logistics operators, focusing on container shipments by rail and sea. Its decision to halt new orders through the Black Sea underscores the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which have intensified attacks on vessels in recent weeks.

Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, has reported multiple attacks on its agricultural export facilities and commercial vessels in the Black Sea. The country's main grain lobby group warned last week that Ukrainian drone attacks could shut down grain exports via the Black Sea, potentially driving up prices.