Russia on Monday suspended its participation in a grain deal that allowed the export of Ukrainian grain.
Washington:
The White House warned on Wednesday that Russia could expand its attacks on Ukrainian grain facilities to include attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea.
Adam Hodge, White House National Security Council spokesman, said U.S. officials have information indicating Russia has laid additional naval mines in access routes to Ukrainian ports.
“We believe this is a coordinated effort to justify attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and blame Ukraine for these attacks,” he said.
Hodge said Russia had announced that any ships sailing to Ukrainian ports in Black Sea waters would be considered potential carriers of military cargo and said US information showed Russia had laid additional naval mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports.
“In addition to this coordinated effort in the Black Sea, we have already observed that on July 18 and 19, Russia attacked Ukraine’s grain export ports in Odessa with missiles and drones, resulting in the destruction of agricultural infrastructure and 60,000 tons of grain,” he said.
Ukraine on Wednesday accused Russia of damaging grain export infrastructure during “hellish” night strikes targeting two of its Black Sea ports, vowing not to be intimidated into working to keep grain exports away from them.
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