Ukraine has forwarded Russia’s proposal through an intermediary to mutually cease strikes on targets in the Black Sea. Kyiv has forwarded the proposal, but Moscow has not yet responded to it. As reported by Channel 24, Reuters reports. The PromPolitInform portal informs.
What is known about the cessation of strikes in the Black Sea?
Kyiv’s proposal was forwarded to the Russian side through a third party. Russia did not immediately comment publicly on this issue. Before the publication of the report, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that Moscow had not received any official proposal for a ceasefire in the Black Sea.
“Recently, we have been hearing many calls for various kinds of moratoriums and truces. These ideas are being put forward through various channels, but we have not received any official proposals,” he said.
In recent weeks, both sides have said that attacks by the other side on grain supplies and infrastructure in the busy waterway could significantly affect world food prices this year.
Ukraine’s initiative came against the backdrop of a sharp deterioration in the security situation for civilian shipping in the Black Sea. Attacks on merchant ships and port infrastructure have increased in recent weeks, making the security of crews and international maritime traffic increasingly pressing for shipowners and insurers.
The British specialist publication Lloyd’s List wrote in July that the war in the Black Sea had escalated significantly: the publication mentioned attacks on ships near Odessa, in particular, a strike on the bulk carrier Golden Leo, which killed 10 sailors, as well as attacks on tankers near Novorossiysk, Russia.
The scale of the danger is also evidenced by data provided in industry reviews: in early August, it was reported that in July 2026 alone, more than 35 commercial vessels could have been hit in the Black Sea, and the number of dead sailors reached 23. Due to the increasing risks, shipping companies are forced to strengthen security measures, and some tankers operating in the region are already equipping them with improvised drone protection systems.
The problem, however, is not limited to direct attacks. The Black Sea remains a risk of underwater mines and other explosive devices that pose a threat to civilian vessels. There are known cases of damage to ships or explosions near them due to sea mines, and Ukrainian representatives emphasized that explosive devices left behind as a result of the war continue to pose a danger to shipping.
At the same time, the Black Sea remains a critically important route for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products and other cargo. According to data provided by Ukraine to the International Maritime Organization, after the launch of the Ukrainian sea corridor, more than 4,500 ships passed through it, transporting about 120 million tons of cargo.
Recall that earlier Turkey called on Ukraine and Russia to create a mechanism for introducing a moratorium on attacks in the Black Sea. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that due to the intensification of hostilities, civilian shipping, including Turkish merchant ships, was under threat.
According to him, the attacks, which were initially directed at ports and military ships, are now also affecting commercial vessels. The number of attacks on Turkish ships is lower compared to other cases, but Ankara is still seriously concerned about the situation.
Fidan believes that the international community should intervene to stop the further spread of hostilities in the Black Sea. At the same time, he acknowledged that the war is ongoing, and the parties are currently not demonstrating a willingness to make mutual concessions.
