By Admin 
Now the maritime front is also becoming very important in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Due to continuous drone attacks by Ukraine, Russia has had to stop traffic on some important routes of the Sea of Azov. Due to this, the possibility of impact on Russia’s trade, military supplies and global export network has increased. The Sea of Azov is considered a very important maritime area for Russia. It connects to the Black Sea through the Kerch Strait and connects many major ports of southern Russia to the world’s maritime trade routes. For a long time this area was considered safe for Russia, but now the increasing drone attacks by Ukraine have changed the situation.
Commander of Ukraine’s Drone Force, Robert Brovdi, has claimed that in the last 9 days Ukraine has targeted 116 Russian ships in the Sea of Azov area. Although this claim has not been independently verified, some videos released by Ukrainian authorities appear to show attacks on maritime targets. After continuous attacks, Russia has had to stop movement on two important sea routes. These include the Don-Azov Channel, which connects the Sea of Azov to Russia’s interior routes. The second is the Kerch Strait, which is a special contact route between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
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Evidence found through satellite images
According to satellite images and the agency that monitors ships, a large number of ships are stranded and long queues have formed on both sides of these routes. Due to this, maritime trade has been affected and many ships are getting delayed in reaching their destination. Experts say that its impact will not be limited to oil transport only. Russia is the world’s largest wheat importer and accounts for about 20 percent of global wheat exports. According to data from the US Department of Agriculture, a large part of Russia’s wheat exports passes through this region. According to Andrey Sizov, expert of the Black Sea Agricultural Market market, about a quarter of Russia’s total wheat exports are sent via the Sea of Azov. He says that if the current situation continues for a long time, Russia may suffer an economic loss of billions of dollars.
Increase in wheat prices in the international futures market
In recent times, an increase in prices has also been seen in the international futures market of wheat. Market experts believe that the increasing tension in the Sea of Azov and possible hindrance in exports is one of the main reasons for this. Russia says it can continue its grain exports through other Black Sea ports. However, experts believe that during the peak season of harvesting and export, it will not be easy to handle the entire supply with the help of other ports alone. Ukraine says its attacks are aimed at weakening Russia’s military supplies and logistics networks reaching the occupied territories. According to Ukrainian army officials, the supply chain leading to Russian military bases in Crimea and southern Ukraine is being targeted.
Which allegations of Russia did Ukraine reject?
Major Ivan Karas, commander of Ukraine’s 413th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems, has said that Russia has turned Crimea into a major military center and Ukraine is trying to disrupt all the routes through which military material reaches there. On the other hand, Russia has called these attacks a terrorist act. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Ukraine’s activities in the Sea of Azov have gone beyond piracy and their aim is only to cause harm and spread fear. Ukraine has rejected this allegation and said that it is targeting only military and strategic targets.
When did Russia occupy Crimea?
The conflict over the Sea of Azov is not new. Since Russia’s occupation of Crimea in 2014, there has been continuous tension between the two countries regarding this region. After a major Russian military operation in February 2022, Russia took control of most of the Ukrainian coastal areas around the Sea of Azov. After this, Russia started using this maritime area as its sphere of influence. Now Ukraine’s drone attacks and growing maritime capabilities have started challenging Russia’s position in the region. Experts believe that if this operation continues, its impact will not be limited to war only but may also affect the global food supply, energy market and international trade.
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