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Russia targeted civilian cargo ship in Black Sea, says UK

The Black Sea has become increasingly contested after Russia in July pulled out of a UN- and Turkey-brokered grain deal, which aimed to ensure safe navigation for civilian ships…reports Asian Lite News

Russia’s military targeted a civilian cargo ship in the Black Sea with “multiple missiles” last month but they were successfully intercepted by Ukrainian forces, UK said on Monday citing intelligence.

A vessel in Russia’s Black Sea fleet fired the missiles, which included two Kalibr cruise missiles, towards the southern Ukrainian port of Odessa on August 24, according to the UK government.

Declassified intelligence has revealed that the intended target was a Liberian-flagged cargo ship berthed there, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said.

It added that Ukrainian air defences thwarted the attack on the civilian vessel, with neither of the Kalibr missiles hitting their target.

“Despite its failure, this is a clear demonstration of Russia’s continuing attempts to choke Ukraine’s economy,” the FCDO said in a statement.

It accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of “disregard for the lives of civilians” and of trying to “weaponise food and innocent trade at the expense of the rest of the world”.

The Black Sea has become increasingly contested after Russia in July pulled out of a UN- and Turkey-brokered grain deal, which aimed to ensure safe navigation for civilian ships.

Moscow has since repeatedly attacked Ukraine’s port infrastructure, in what Kyiv says is a cynical attempt to damage its exports and undermine global food security.

Referencing the alleged August 24 targeting of the civilian ship while making a statement in parliament about last weekend’s G20 summit, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it showed “just how desperate Putin is”.

He added that Russian attacks on Ukrainian sites had destroyed more than 270,000 tonnes of grain, noting that was “enough to feed a million people for a year”.

“Ukraine has the right to export its goods through international waters and they have the moral right to ship grain that is helping feed the world,” Sunak said.

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Ukraine announces ‘humanitarian corridor’ for ships stuck in Black Sea

In a statement, the Ukrainian navy said the routes for the corridor had already been proposed by Ukraine directly to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)…reports Asian Lite News

Ukraine announced it will open a “humanitarian corridor” in the Black Sea to release cargo ships trapped in its ports since the outbreak of war, a new test of Russia’s de facto blockade since Moscow abandoned a deal last month to let Kyiv export grain from its sea ports.

At least initially, the corridor, which was announced on Thursday, would apply to vessels such as container ships that have been stuck in Ukrainian ports since the February 2022 invasion by Russian, and were not covered by the deal that opened the ports for grain shipments last year.

But it could be a considerable test of Ukraine’s ability to reopen sea lanes at a time when Russia is trying to re-impose its de-facto blockade, having abandoned the grain deal last month. Shipping and insurance sources expressed concerns about safety.

Local news outlet The Kyiv Independent reported that Ukraine’s navy has warned that military threats from Russia, as well as sea mines, remain along all shipping routes.

“Only vessels whose owners or captains officially confirm their readiness to sail under such conditions will be allowed to pass through,” the news outlet reported on Thursday.

In a statement, the Ukrainian navy said the routes for the corridor had already been proposed by Ukraine directly to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The routes would “primarily be used for civilian ships which have been in the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdennyi since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by Russia on February 24, 2022”.

“Vessels whose owners/captains officially confirm that they are ready to sail in the current conditions will be allowed to pass through the routes,” the navy said in the statement, adding that risks remained from mines and the military threat from Russia.

“The corridor will be very transparent. We will put cameras on the ships and there will be a broadcast to show that this is purely a humanitarian mission and has no military purpose,” Oleh Chalyk, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s navy, told the Reuters news agency.

There was no immediate response to requests for comment from Moscow.

Shipping and insurance sources familiar with Ukraine said they were not informed about the new corridor and there were questions over its viability. It was unlikely most ships would agree to sail at the moment, they said.

“The possibility of multiple seafarer deaths [in the event of a ship being hit] has not been addressed, so this is another major question,” a shipping industry source said.

Approximately 60 commercial ships have been stuck in the Ukrainian ports since Russia’s invasion, their fates unresolved by the deal that allowed grain exports to resume in July last year.

Many of the ships’ crews have been evacuated, leaving locally hired Ukrainian staff to help look after the vessels.

Since abandoning the grain deal, Russia has said it will treat any ships approaching Ukrainian ports as potential military vessels, and their flag countries as combatants on the Ukrainian side.

Kyiv has responded with a similar threat to ships approaching Russian or Russian-held Ukrainian ports.

The United Nations has said Russia’s decision to quit the deal risks worsening a global food crisis, hurting poor countries the worst, by keeping grain from one of the world’s biggest exporters off the market.

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UN chief regrets Russia’s decision to end Black Sea grain deal

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow decided to suspend its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative…reports Asian Lite News

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday said he regretted Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

“I deeply regret the decision by the Russian Federation to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the northwestern part of the Black Sea,” Guterres said.

With the decision to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia also terminated its commitment to facilitate the unimpeded export of food, sunflower oil, and fertilizers from Ukrainian-controlled Black Sea ports, as expressed in the memorandum of understanding between Russia and the United Nations, he told a press encounter at the UN headquarters in New York.

The initiative has ensured the safe passage of over 32 million metric tons of food commodities from Ukrainian ports. The World Food Programme has shipped more than 725,000 tons to support humanitarian operations, relieving hunger in some of the hardest-hit corners of the world, including Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Yemen, noted Guterres.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the United Nations and Türkiye — together with the memorandum of understanding between Russia and the world body — has been a lifeline for global food security and a beacon of hope in a troubled world. At a time when the production and availability of food are being disrupted by conflict, climate change, energy prices and more, these agreements have helped to reduce food prices by over 23 percent since March last year, he added.

“Ultimately, participation in these agreements is a choice. But struggling people everywhere and developing countries don’t have a choice. Hundreds of millions of people face hunger and consumers are confronting a global cost-of-living crisis. They will pay the price,” said Guterres, noting that there was already a jump in wheat prices immediately after the announcement of the Russian decision.

Earlier Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow decided to suspend its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

“Unfortunately, the part of these Black Sea agreements that concerns Russia has not been implemented so far, so its effect is terminated,” local media reported, citing Peskov. Russia had been complaining that its demands to improve its own grain and fertilizer exports have not been met.

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UN chief welcomes Russian decision to extend Black Sea grain deal

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press at the UN headquarters in New York on April 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie E/IANS)

Outstanding issues remain, but representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN will keep discussing them, he told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York…reports Asian Lite News

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed Russia’s decision that would allow the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allows the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from Black Sea ports.

“We have some positive and significant developments: confirmation by the Russian Federation to continue its participation in the Black Sea Initiative for another 60 days. I welcome this decision,” said Guterres on Wednesday.

“The continuation is good news for the world.”

Outstanding issues remain, but representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN will keep discussing them, he told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.

“I hope we will reach a comprehensive agreement to improve, expand and extend the initiative, as I proposed in a recent letter to the presidents of the three countries.”

The importance of the Black Sea Grain Initiative — and the parallel memorandum of understanding between the UN and Russia on the facilitation of exports of Russian food and fertiliser — is clear. These agreements matter for global food security. Ukrainian and Russian products feed the world, said Guterres.

Under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, more than 30 million ton of food have been exported. Vital food supplies are reaching some of the world’s most vulnerable people and places, including 30,000 ton of wheat that just left Ukraine to feed hungry people in Sudan, the UN chief added.

The agreements matter because the world is still in the throes of a record-breaking cost-of-living crisis. And they matter because they demonstrate that, even in the darkest hours, there is always a beacon of hope and an opportunity to find solutions that benefit everyone, he said.

Guterres noted that over the last year, global food markets have stabilised, volatility has been reduced and global food prices fell by 20 per cent.

“Looking ahead, we hope that exports of food and fertilisers, including ammonia, from the Russian Federation and Ukraine will be able to reach global supply chains safely and predictably — as foreseen in both the Black Sea Initiative and the memorandum of understanding on Russian food and fertiliser exports, the implementation of which the UN is fully committed to support,” he said.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed separately by Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul with Turkey and the UN on July 22, 2022. The deal, initially in effect for 120 days, was extended in mid-November 2022 for another 120 days till March 18, 2023. At that point, Russia only agreed to extend the deal for a further 60 days, till May 18, 2023.

As a parallel agreement, Russia and the UN signed the memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of exports of Russian food and fertiliser. But the parallel agreement has not made much progress.

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Turkey starts delivery of natural gas from Black Sea field

Turkey flag

The Turkish leader announced that the country will provide free natural gas for household consumption up to 25 cubic meters monthly for one year…reports Asian Lite News

Turkey has started the delivery of natural gas from its Black Sea field, as part of its flagship project aiming at reducing the country’s dependence on energy imports.

The gas, shipped from a depth of 2,200 meters at the offshore Sakarya field via a 170-km-long subsea pipeline and through various compression plants, was delivered to the newly constructed Filyos land facility located in the northern Zonguldak province on Thursday.

Attending a commissioning ceremony of Black Sea natural gas in Zonguldak, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey is “taking a historic step toward energy independence”.

“With great efforts and stride, the natural gas discovered just three years ago has been put into use,” Erdogan said, adding that the field will meet approximately 30 per cent of Turkey’s gas needs upon full capacity.

The Turkish leader announced that the country will provide free natural gas for household consumption up to 25 cubic meters monthly for one year.

His announcement came less than a month before the general elections on May 14, when he will seek a third term in office.

The Sakarya field will initially produce 10 million cubic meters of natural gas per day, with an expected rise to 40 million cubic meters by around 2028 at the second stage, the Turkish presidency said in a statement on Thursday.

Oguzhan Akyener, president of Turkey’s Energy Strategy and Political Research Center, told the semi-official Anadolu Agency that the first Black Sea gas will contribute 35 billion liras ($1.8 billion) to the economy.

Turkey’s offshore gas reserves in the Black Sea are estimated at 710 billion cubic meters, which is enough to meet its domestic gas demand for 35 years, the NTV quoted Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez as saying.

Currently, Turkey imports most of its gas from Russia and Azerbaijan. The Sakarya field is part of Turkey’s plan to reduce its dependence on energy imports and turn Filyos into a significant energy hub.

Turkey, with its geographical advantage, has already served as a transit route for major gas pipelines. The presence of infrastructures such as the TurkStream in the Black Sea makes it easier for the country to re-export a mix of imported gas to European countries.

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Black Sea grain deal to get 120-day extension

Ukraine dispatches biggest convoy of grain ships.(photo:facebook/MinInfra.UA)

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday the addition of 60 days was a “goodwill gesture” on Russia’s part when asked by reporters why the deal had not been extended by 120 days…reports Asian Lite News

The United Nations has said the Black Sea grain agreement would be extended for 120 days after Russia agreed to a 60-day extension of the deal after negotiations in Geneva.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative is an agreement between Ukraine and Russia, brokered by the UN and Turkey, that was established in July 2022 to guarantee safe passage for ships carrying grain and oilseeds — some of Ukraine’s most important exports. “The agreement is public, it’s an open document. It foresees a rollover of 120 days,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

As the Black Sea grain agreement expires this weekend, Russia agreed to the 60-day extension.

Russian state-run news agency RIA, citing Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, reported on Monday that Russia and the UN had agreed to a 60-day extension of the grain deal after the negotiations in Geneva.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday the addition of 60 days was a “goodwill gesture” on Russia’s part when asked by reporters why the deal had not been extended by 120 days.

Earlier, on November 2, Russia resumed its participation in the Black Sea grain deal, after securing guarantees from Ukraine on the non-use of the humanitarian corridor and ports designated for the export of agricultural products for military operations.

“With the help of an international organisation and Turkey, the necessary written guarantees from Ukraine on the non-use of the humanitarian corridor and Ukrainian ports designated for the export of agricultural products for military operations against the Russian Federation were obtained and submitted to the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) on November 1,” the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

“The Russian Federation believes that the guarantees received at this time are adequate and resumes implementation of the agreement – the Initiative for the Safe Transportation of Grain and Food from Ukrainian Ports (the Black Sea Initiative) – which had been halted following the terrorist attack in Sevastopol,” the statement added.

The UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed during a ceremony in Istanbul in July. Under the deal, ships transporting grain from three Ukrainian ports travel along an agreed corridor to markets worldwide. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Russian jet collides with US drone over the Black Sea

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Russian jet collides with US drone over the Black Sea

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the plenary session of the 19th annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in the Moscow region, Russia on Oct. 27, 2022. (Kremlin press release/IANS/Xinhua)

The incident is likely to increase tensions between the two nations, with the US calling Russia’s actions “reckless, environmentally unsound and unprofessional.”…reports Asian Lite News

The US State Department summoned Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov to convey “our strong objections”, department spokesman Ned Price said after a Russian Su-27 fighter jet downed an American military drone over the Black Sea, reported CNN.

Price also stated that US Ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy “has conveyed a strong message to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” On Tuesday, a Russian fighter jet forced down a US Air Force drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday after damaging the propeller of the American MQ-9 Reaper drone, according to American forces.

The Reaper drone and two Russian Su-27 aircraft were flying over international waters over the Black Sea on Tuesday when one of the Russian jets “intentionally” flew in front of and dumped fuel on the unmanned drone several times, a statement from US European Command said.

The aircraft then hit the propeller of the drone, prompting US forces to bring the MQ-9 drone down in international waters. Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder added Tuesday that the Russian aircraft flew “in the vicinity” of the drone for 30 to 40 minutes before colliding just after 7 am (Central European Time), according to CNN.

Giving out details about the incident, Air Force General James B Hecker, commander of US Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa, said in a statement, “Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9.”

This incident is seen as the first time when Russian and US military aircraft have come into direct physical contact since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine.

The incident is likely to increase tensions between the two nations, with the US calling Russia’s actions “reckless, environmentally unsound and unprofessional.”

President Joe Biden was briefed on the incident by national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday morning, according to National Security Council communications coordinator John Kirby, reported CNN.

Defence Department officials “have not spoken specifically to Russian authorities” on the incident, Ryder said.

Price said separately that the US has “engaged at high levels with our allies and partners” to brief them on the incident. He added that the US was “not in a position to speak to what the Russians intended to do” with the maneuvers, but that ultimately the intent mattered less than “what actually transpired.” (ANI)

ALSO READ-Russia agrees to 60-day Black Sea Grain Initiative extension

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Russia blocking Ukraine resupply by Black Sea

“Mines within the Black Sea pose a serious risk to maritime activity,” it said…reports Asian Lite News

Russian naval forces continue to blockade the Ukrainian coast on the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, preventing resupply by sea, British military intelligence said on Sunday.

Russia retains the capability to attempt an amphibious landing, but such an operation is likely to be increasingly high risk due to the time Ukrainian forces have had to prepare, the Ministry of Defence tweeted in a regular bulletin.

“Mines within the Black Sea pose a serious risk to maritime activity,” it said.

The report said the origin of the mines was unclear and disputed but that they were almost certainly the result of Russian naval activity in the area, demonstrating how its invasion of Ukraine is affecting neutral and civilian interests.

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Russian warships in Black Sea amid Ukraine tension

Russian Defence Ministry declared that certain sea areas in Crimea would be closed off for months because of the manoeuvres, reports Asian Lite News

Amid renewed tension in eastern Ukraine, Russia has sent 15 warships to the Black Sea for a manoeuvre, which passed through the Kerch Strait on the Crimean Peninsula on Saturday, the Navy said.

It was not initially said how long the exercises would last, dpa news agency reported.

The US had previously cancelled the deployment of two warships to the Black Sea following complaints from Russia.

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On Friday, the Russian Defence Ministry declared that certain sea areas in Crimea would be closed off for months because of the manoeuvres.

However, shipping in the strait was not affected, it said.

The European Union, NATO and Ukraine criticised Russia’s actions.

In response, a senior EU official said it was an “extremely worrying development”.

Ukrainian border patrol troops guard the country’s border to Hungary. Moscow is warning countries not to supply weapons to Kiev, amid an escalation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. (Photo: -/Ukrinform/dpa/IANS)

International concern is growing about an escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine because of Russian troop deployments not far from the Ukrainian border.

Meanwhile, the head of Ukraine’s military operation, Sergei Nayev, indicated that he does not expect a new war.

“We don’t see any attack preparations there,” he told Ukrainian television on Friday night.

“In fact, field hospitals have been set up.” All units are in camps, on firing ranges, he said.

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“In military language, we are talking about a show of force.”

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian diplomat has been arrested in the Russian city of St Petersburg.

He had obtained classified documents, the domestic intelligence service FSB announced, which is not compatible with the status of a diplomat.

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