Russia has accused Ukraine of terrorism over its escalating strikes on shipping vessels in the Sea of Azov. The Shipping route is important for Russia, as it handles a quarter of its grain export.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
"What the Ukrainian regime is doing goes beyond even piracy. Pirates, at least, plunder and keep the spoils for themselves,” Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said.
“But here, it benefits neither them nor anyone else, the goal is simply to cause damage and intimidate. It is terrorism, pure and simple," Lavrov said.
The Sea of Azov is a strategically important inland sea connected to the Black Sea through the Kerch Strait. Bordered by southern Russia and Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, it serves as a vital route for Russia's grain exports, commercial shipping and military logistics. The sea also provides ocean access to key Russian port Rostov-on-Don.
A Ukrainian military source told Reuters that Kyiv strikes only targets that contribute to Russia's combat capability.
“Civilian cargoes are not among them. By talking about attacks on civilian vessels, Russia is looking for a pretext to justify its cynical strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure."
