Sanctions aimed at striking a retaliatory blow at Russia in the wake of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine include Washington placing trade restrictions on five container ships belonging to the Fesco Transportation Group, it has since emerged.
Although it is not certain which vessels from the Russian line are currently affected, more Russian merchant ships are said to be targeted by the US.
News from the Black Sea is that the Port of Odessa, west of Crimea, where Russian tanks were seen earlier today crossing into Ukraine, is becoming gridlocked with vessels unable to leave.
Earlier today, as explosions were heard across Odessa, at least three box ships were reported to be stuck inside the port.
In the meantime, the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Turkey to block Russian military vessels from passing through the straits of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles into the Black Sea.
Russia, for its part, has halted commercial vessel movement in the Azov Sea, with merchant ships said to be building up south of the Kerch Strait.
Apart from unfolding supply chain impacts related to Russia’s military assault on Ukraine, marine research outfit Sea-Intelligence has warned of increased cyber breach risks for countries affiliated to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato).
Sea-Intell’s warning is in keeping with earlier intelligence that warned of an imminent Russian invasion.
In addition to the threat of Russia breaching the borders of Ukraine, port and shipping security intelligence flagged cyberattacks as a likely strategy to play havoc with the supply chain interests of Nato countries in Eastern Europe.
