Ukraine will retaliate against Russian attacks in the Black Sea to ensure that its territorial waters are not blocked, so that imports and exports of grain and other goods are possible, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in excerpts of his statements to journalists from countries of Latin America, which was released today.

The video was posted on the website of the Ukrainian presidency, days after Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels (USVs), rigged with explosives, rammed a warship and a tanker in the Russian port of Novorossiysk.

“If Russia continues to occupy the Black Sea, beyond its territorial waters, imposing blockades or opening fire against us, Ukraine will do the same. This is a justified defense of our acquis, regardless of the (safe) corridor,” Zelensky said.

“We don’t have that many ships. But they (the Russians) should understand that by the end of the war they will not have any ships left. None!”, claimed the Ukrainian president.

Volodymyr Zelensky called on Russia to stop missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks on Ukrainian ports, as well as to ensure the unhindered flow of goods.

It has not been specified when the specific statements were made.

Tensions in the Black Sea have escalated after Russia pulled out of an agreement that allowed grain exports from Ukrainian ports. Since then, Russian missiles and UAVs have repeatedly hit Ukrainian warehouses and port infrastructure. The naval blockade imposed by Russian forces is strangling Ukraine’s economy, which before the start of the war relied on grain and steel exports.