Ukraine Creates Temporary Maritime Corridors in the Black Sea

The First Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, Vasyl Shkurakov, has sent a letter to the United Nations International Maritime Organization. According to Reuters, the text states that Ukraine has decided to establish a temporary maritime route for grain transportation after Russia withdrew from the grain deal.

The aim of the new route is to support the unblocking of international navigation in the northwestern part of the Black Sea. The Russian Ministry of Defense has stated that any ship passing through the corridor will be treated as a military object. The flag countries of such vessels will be considered involved in the conflict by Ukraine.

On July 17, Russia announced its withdrawal from the grain deal until its conditions are met. In this regard, the Russian side recalled navigation safety guarantees, reduced the maritime humanitarian corridor, and restored the temporarily dangerous area regime in the northwest of the Black Sea.