The Russian Federation continues to block Ukrainian trade in the Black Sea.

A Russian warship has forcibly stopped and inspected a civilian cargo ship bound for the port of Izmail as part of the Kremlin’s attempt to limit maritime transport to Ukrainian ports without an escort by naval forces, and signals Russia’s intent to create  a complete blockade, according to ISW analysts. The forced inspection was carried out to create a threat of escalation against civilian vessels bound for Ukraine and to undermine confidence in the temporary trade corridors across the Black Sea, which Ukraine announced on August 10.

In addition, on the night of August 14, the aggressor launched a massive attack on Odesa, using 15 attack drones and eight Kalibr missiles. The Ukrainian military believes that the drones targeted the region’s port infrastructure. As a result of the attack, 203 houses in Odesa were damaged. The consequences of Russia’s actions in the Black Sea are echoed in Romania as well – an explosion occurred not far from the country’s largest port, Constanta, which processes Ukrainian grain.