In brief: More than 300 attacks in the Black Sea this year have killed over 30 seafarers and left more than 20 missing, making it the world’s deadliest shipping route. Russian strikes on Ukrainian export vessels and Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian shipping have disrupted trade, with recent attacks spreading toward Romania and Bulgaria.
The Black Sea has become the world’s deadliest shipping route this year, with attacks killing more seafarers than strikes in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Maritime security company Ambrey recorded more than 300 attacks in the Black Sea. More than 30 seafarers were killed and over 20 remain missing, the newspaper reported, citing the Turkish Shipowners’ Association, MarineTraffic reports, and local authorities.
JOIN US ON TELEGRAM
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
By comparison, about 130 attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere in the Middle East have killed 25 seafarers since fighting between the US and Iran began in late February.
Ukraine has expanded drone strikes against Russia’s export infrastructure and shipping, while Russia has sustained attacks on Ukrainian ports and merchant vessels carrying the country’s exports.
Ambrey said in a September assessment that Russia’s campaign had targeted the Greater Odesa ports, the Danube ports of Izmail and Reni, and ships both underway and at anchor. Ukraine’s attacks have extended to Russian ports, terminals, and vessels trading through the open sea, including tankers associated with Russia’s shadow fleet.
The danger has increasingly spread beyond waters off Ukraine and Russia toward other Black Sea states.
Ambrey recorded 45 merchant vessels struck outside the previously designated war-risk area in the 12 months through Sept. 21, compared with none in the preceding 12 months. The company said aerial and maritime drones had overtaken sea mines as the dominant floating hazard.
Putin’s ‘Permanent Peace’ Pitch Comes With New Demands for Ukraine
In September, the shipping insurance industry’s Joint War Committee expanded its designated risk area to cover almost the entire Black Sea, excluding the territorial waters of Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, and Georgia.
Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.
Ukraine Rejects US Plan to Redraw Donbas Borders to Give Putin Symbolic Victory
Ukraine Knocks Out 15 Russian Refineries, $23 Billion in Damage
Russia’s Chief Negotiator Vows to Take Back ‘Every Inch of Russian Land’
‘We Will Not Implement It’: Kallas Rejects US-Russia Security Deal Negotiated Without Europe
Bulgaria Elects Moscow-Friendly Iotova as Black Sea Attacks Raise Security Fears
Zelensky, Erdogan Discuss Peace Talks and Black Sea Security
Poland Calls for Urgent Black Sea Ceasefire, Demands Fair Peace for Ukraine
Romania Blames Russia for Drone Strike That Sank Black Sea Ship
Ukraine Strikes Omsk Oil Refinery for Third Time, SSO Says
Russia Praises NATO Commander’s Role in Ukraine Talks
Putin’s ‘Permanent Peace’ Pitch Comes With New Demands for Ukraine
St. Petersburg Blast Took Out Russian Officers Protecting Airspace From Arctic to Kaliningrad
