Russia may lose "Syrian Express" in Black Sea
Ukraine's Defense Ministry statement means that any vessel heading to Russian-controlled ports will be considered a military target
A great statement from the MoD:
"The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine warns that from 00:00 on July 21, 2023, all vessels sailing in the Black Sea in the direction of the seaports of the Russian Federation and Ukrainian seaports located in the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo with all the relevant risks. In addition, shipping in the areas of the North-Eastern Black Sea and the Kerch-Yenikal Strait of Ukraine is prohibited as dangerous, starting from 05:00 on July 20, 2023."
Just yesterday, on the Crimean platform, I emphasized a specific example of Putin's followers carrying ammunition across the Bosphorus on the "Syrian Express" (probably for a bribe to the Turks):
- In the port of Novorossiysk, a Ro-Ro vessel "Sparta IV" is being loaded. More than 50 artillery systems and anti-aircraft systems are loaded on board. The equipment will be delivered to Syria to the port of Tartus. The vessel will return with a cargo of 122-mm shells, as since April, the plant No. 790 in the town of Safira near Aleppo has been producing artillery shells for the needs of the Russian army.
The "Syrian Express" now works in reverse. The selective interpretation of the Montreux Convention and its appendixes by Russia, Ukraine and Turkey allows such traffic to benefit the aggressor…
It's time to make changes to the schedule of the "Syrian Express" - to cut it off. We need to act in accordance with the Horbulin-Zaluzhnyi approach, which is exactly what the statement of the Ministry of Defense is about.
It's time for Neptune and Harpoon's convincing diplomacy!
About the author. Mykhailo Honchar, expert on international energy and security relations
The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.
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