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New Delhi: In a move Kyiv has branded a calculated campaign of "maritime terror," Russian forces launched fresh strikes against civilian cargo ships in the Black Sea on Monday. The attacks, which targeted vessels transporting essential food products, have ignited international outrage.
The attack has sent a tremor through global trade routes just as diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year war seemed to be gaining traction.
Corn and oil in the crosshairs
The strikes occurred near the strategic Chornomorsk port on Ukraine’s southern coast. According to Ukrainian Regional Development Minister Oleksiy Kuleba, the assault crippled two distinct international vessels.
The Panamanian tanker: A drone slammed into this vessel while it sat at anchor, waiting to load a shipment of vegetable oil. The impact sparked a fire on board and left one crew member wounded.
The San Marino merchantman: This ship was targeted as it was departing the port, heavily laden with a cargo of corn destined for international markets.
"This is further proof that Russia is deliberately attacking civilian ships, international trade, and maritime safety," Kuleba wrote on Telegram. While Moscow continues to deny targeting civilians, the Kremlin has maintained a standing warning that any ship bound for Ukrainian ports may be treated as a carrier of military hardware.
Dangerous and inexplicable escalation
The maritime strikes served as the backdrop for a heated emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. US Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce lambasted Russia for what she called a "dangerous and inexplicable escalation."
The US specifically condemned Russia’s recent deployment of the Oreshnik, a new nuclear-capable hypersonic ballistic missile, which was launched last week near the border of NATO-member Poland. The use of such high-tech weaponry, only the second time it has been seen in combat, is viewed by many as a "hypersonic warning" to Kyiv’s Western allies.
Peace process under fire
The timing of the intensification is particularly jarring for the Trump administration, which has been working to advance peace negotiations. Just days ago, Ukraine and its allies reported significant progress on a defensive framework to protect the country should a US-led peace deal be finalised.
