Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced today that starting tomorrow, July 21, it will consider all ships bound for Russian ports and Ukrainian Black Sea ports seized by Moscow as potential carriers of military cargo.

The Ministry of Defense says in its statement that the Ukrainian armed forces have the means to repel Russian aggression at sea.

A day after Russia said any ships traveling to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports would be considered carriers of military cargo, Ukraine’s defense ministry says it could repel Russian aggression at sea.

The fate of the cruiser “Moskva” proves that Ukraine’s defense forces have the necessary means to repel Russian aggression at sea,” the ministry said, referring to the flagship of the Russian Black Sea fleet that sank last year.

“The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine warns that from 00:00 on July 21, 2023 (21:00 GMT Thursday) all ships heading in the waters of the Black Sea in the direction of the seaports of the Russian Federation and Ukrainian seaports in the Ukrainian territory temporarily occupied by Russia may be seized by Ukraine as carriers of military cargo.”

Ukraine’s foreign ministry condemned Russia’s warning that any ships bound for Ukrainian Black Sea ports would be considered potential carriers of military cargo.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns any threat to use force against civilian ships, regardless of the flag under which they sail,” the statement said.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in its statement: “The intention to consider foreign ships as military targets flagrantly violates Russia’s obligations under international law not only to Ukraine but also to all countries engaged in peaceful navigation in the Black Sea.”

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s statement also added that Russia’s announcement does not have a legitimate military objective, but aims to intimidate Ukraine and neutral countries.