Russia readies to reroute exports from Sea of Azov after Ukrainian attacks

Ukraine says drones hit 11 Russian vessels in the Azov Sea, targeting tankers, dry cargo ships, and a tugboat overnight.Russia says it is working to reroute ⁠grain shipments from the Sea of Azov after its vessels came under Ukrainian attacks in the sea, as Kyiv claimed it hit 11 more Russian vessels in overnight strikes.Russia was preparing to use “alternative shipping routes” and may redirect cargo “to other modes of transport”, Russia’s Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Ukraine chokes fuel to Crimea, Russian consumers, targeting military supplylist 2 of 3Russian attacks kill five as Ukraine continues to target oil infrastructurelist 3 of 3Ukrainian attacks cause chaos at fuel stations across Russiaend of listThe ministry added that “the situation in the Azov Sea will not affect the domestic market’s food supply or our country’s export capabilities.”Ukrainian military commander Robert Brovdi said on Telegram on Tuesday that drone attacks hit 11 Russian vessels in the Azov Sea overnight. The targets included five tankers, five dry cargo vessels and a tugboat, bringing the total number of vessels struck in the past nine days to 116, he said.Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of carrying out “acts of terrorism”.“What the ‌Ukrainian regime is doing goes beyond even piracy. Pirates, at least, plunder and keep the spoils for ⁠themselves. But here, it ⁠benefits neither them nor anyone else – the goal is simply ⁠to cause damage and ⁠intimidate. It is ⁠terrorism, pure and simple,” Lavrov said.The attacks come as Ukraine steps up long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure, triggering a fuel crisis in Russia.Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its air defences intercepted 288 Ukrainian drones across the country overnight. Russian authorities said falling debris from a drone attack injured one person and damaged houses in several villages.