Russia has suspended navigation on the Azov-Don Sea Canal, which connects the Don River to the Sea of Azov, Reuters reported, citing sources in the grain industry. The Border Service of the Federal Security Service (FSB) sent out a notice halting the acceptance of applications for vessel passage.
One of the agency's sources also said passage through the Kerch Strait, which links the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, had been suspended. No reasons or time frames for the restrictions were given in either case, and authorities did not respond to journalists' requests for comment, Reuters wrote.
Experts estimate the canal's closure could affect nearly a quarter of Russia's wheat exports shipped via the Sea of Azov. Wheat prices on the Euronext exchange rose 4% in response, Reuters noted.
Russia took the step after a series of mass Ukrainian drone attacks on vessels in the Sea of Azov. The Ukrainian Armed Forces said that on the evening of July 9, drones struck 14 Russian ships. On July 10, Ukrainian drones hit another 13 Russian vessels, including 10 tankers. Over four days, Kyiv attacked at least 35 Russian ships, said Robert Brovdi (Madyar), commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Unmanned Systems Forces.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the targeted ships were used to supply fuel to the Russian army and to transport oil and petroleum products in circumvention of international sanctions. These vessels are part of the so-called shadow fleet — tankers that Ukraine says are under sanctions. Reuters reported that some of the incidents were confirmed: Rostov region governor Yuri Slyusar said on July 8 and 9 that at least four tankers in the Taganrog Bay had been hit by drone strikes, sustaining minor damage.