Ukraine accuses Russia of turning Black Sea into a "second Strait of Hormuz"

Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, has called on the world to respond to Russia's terror campaign against Kyiv's Black Sea maritime corridor.

Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter)

Details: Sybiha tweeted that Russian attacks on Kyiv's Black Sea maritime corridor are neither a response nor retaliation for Ukrainian strikes elsewhere, noting that Moscow's campaign against civilian shipping began in 2022, not in July 2026.

"Since 2022, Russian strikes have damaged or destroyed 1,054 port infrastructure facilities, hit 232 civilian vessels, and killed or injured 307 civilians. Without any 'pretexts', 'causes', or 'justifications' for its terror," he wrote.

Since the launch of the grain corridor in September 2023, 208.9 million tonnes of cargo, including 123.8 million tonnes of grain, have been transported via the corridor, providing food for families in more than 55 countries.

"By weaponising hunger, Russia is attacking not just Ukraine, but millions of people worldwide. Such actions cannot be justified," Sybiha writes.

Finally, the acting foreign minister has called for a decisive and united response from the international community, demanding that Moscow cease its attacks on freedom of navigation and stop trying to turn the Black Sea into another Strait of Hormuz.

Background:

• As of 23 July, the entry of ships into Ukraine's Black Sea ports had been suspended due to the threat of Russian attacks.
• The suspension followed weeks of Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian Black Sea ports.
• Maersk has also suspended services to Ukraine's Black Sea ports due to intensified Russian strikes on port infrastructure.

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