The United Kingdom has issued a stark warning, citing intelligence sources that suggest Russia may deploy sea mines against civilian shipping in the Black Sea, including laying them on the approach to Ukrainian ports. This alarming revelation follows Ukraine’s navy announcement that 12 cargo vessels are poised to enter a newly established Black Sea shipping corridor, challenging a de facto Russian blockade of Ukrainian sea ports.
The UK’s Foreign Office, in a statement on Wednesday, disclosed that intelligence assessments indicate Russia’s contemplation of using sea mines to impede civilian ships traveling through a “humanitarian corridor” established by Ukraine for grain exports from Black Sea ports. The Foreign Office expressed concern that Russia might seek to avoid openly sinking civilian ships and instead falsely attribute any attacks to Ukraine.
