Russia escalated its patrols in the Black Sea after pulling out of the grain deal, which potentially signals an increase in the intensity and scope of violence in the area, UK Intelligence reported.
According to the British Defense Ministry, the modern corvette Sergey Kotov has deployed to the southern Black Sea, patrolling the shipping lane between the Bosphorus and Odesa.
There is a realistic possibility that it will form part of a task group to intercept commercial vessels Russia believes are heading to Ukraine.
The grain deal has moderated the involvement of the Black Sea in the war: there is now the potential for the intensity and scope of violence in the area to increase, the intelligence concludes.
Ukraine’s intelligence reveals secret Kremlin report on Russia’s grain deal disruption
Read also:
- White House warns Russia may plan ‘false flag’ attack on civilian ships to blame Ukraine
- Russia attacked Odesa’s agricultural infrastructure twice in last 24 hours
- Three options for a grain corridor without Russia
- Russia attacks two Ukrainian port cities amid withdrawal from “grain deal”
- Ukrainian grain terminals damaged in massive Russian attack; air defense destroys 37 of 63 targets
