Being in Russia’s Black Sea waters is unsafe due to the threat of attacks by Ukrainian aerial and naval drones. This is stated in the Russian Defense Ministry’s weekly bulletin. The warning applies to Russia’s entire exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, including the area around Novorossiysk — the country’s main export hub in this region.

The warning followed a series of massive Ukrainian attacks on Russian shipping in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as cited by Bloomberg, at least 124 vessels linked to Russia, including 89 tankers, were struck between July 8 and 20. After the attacks, the port of Novorossiysk introduced an informal ban on vessel movements from midnight to 5 a.m. local time, which could disrupt round-the-clock cargo transshipment, the agency notes.

Earlier this week, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium — the main route for exporting Kazakh oil, accounting for about 80% of its supplies — was forced to suspend shipments because of shipowners’ concerns, which led to a reduction in oil production in Kazakhstan. According to Bloomberg, prolonged disruptions to exports through the Black Sea could increase pressure on the global oil market, which is already feeling the effects of the war between the United States and Iran and shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.

Ukraine continues to strike Russian maritime logistics. According to the Ukrainian command, from July 6 to 22, as part of Operation “MoLoCHKa,” the Unmanned Systems Forces have already hit nearly 200 watercraft. At the same time, the Security Service of Ukraine, as part of a 40-day operation to compel Russia to peace, is attacking oil depots and other military-economic infrastructure facilities.

Russia, in turn, continues strikes on the Ukrainian ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk. As Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi reported, this has forced shipowners to temporarily suspend port calls for the export of agricultural products.