Unacceptable Escalation: US Responds to Russia's Actions against Turkish Cargo Ship

The United States State Department has voiced its concern regarding Russia's military provocation involving the Turkish civilian vessel, the Sukru Okan, en route to the Ukrainian port of Izmail on the Danube near the shores of the Black Sea.

Spokesperson for the US State Department, Vedant Patel, addressed this issue during a briefing. 

He stated, "Russia has publicly stated that all vessels bound for Ukrainian ports in the waters of the Black Sea will be treated as legitimate military targets, as potential carriers of military cargo. This, in our view, represents an unacceptable escalation, once again highlighting Moscow's responsibility for redirecting grains away from their intended destinations." Since Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that Russia has attacked 26 port infrastructure objects and destroyed over 220,000 tons of grain. We are closely monitoring this situation, and we are, of course, concerned that Russian military actions might extend to Ukrainian grain facilities, including attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea," emphasized the spokesperson.

As reported by The Gaze, a Russian warship opened fire on the Turkish cargo vessel Sukru Okan in the Black Sea, which was headed for the Romanian port of Sulina, although Russian sources insist it was bound for the Ukrainian port of Izmail. The gunfire was from an automatic cannon on board the Russian ship. An inspection team was dispatched to the Turkish vessel from a military helicopter. Russia justifies its use of force by asserting that the ship did not respond to warnings to halt. The incident took place in neutral waters in the western part of the Black Sea. The Turkish ship is connected to Istanbul but operates under the "convenient flag" of the offshore state of Palau.

Moscow's justification for its aggressive actions stems from its own declaration that all vessels bound for Ukrainian waters are potentially capable of transporting military cargo.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly condemned Russia's "provocative" military actions on August 13th in the Black Sea against the Turkish cargo ship Sukru Okan, en route to the port of Izmail. The ministry urged the international community to take resolute countermeasures.

"The Russian Navy has blatantly violated the UN Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and other norms of international law. Such actions serve as yet another example of Russia's deliberate policy to undermine maritime freedom and maritime trade security. We express our support and solidarity with Turkey, our strategic partner, and call on the international community to take decisive action to prevent Russia's disruptive activities that hinder the peaceful passage of vessels in the Black Sea," the ministry emphasized.

"It is imperative to thwart Russia's interference with international routes in the Black Sea, especially those leading to Ukrainian maritime ports," the statement added.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also highlighted the significant role of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in supporting global food security.