The Ministry of Reconstruction has enlisted the IMO to protect shipping in the Black Sea

<span><span><span><span><span><span>Reconstruction Minister Mykola Kalashnyk addressed the head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regarding the escalation of Russian attacks on ships in the Black Sea. At Ukraine’s request, the IMO Secretariat has already circulated this statement to all member states and international partners.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>This was reported by the Ministry of Recovery, Infrastructure, and Transport of Ukraine.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>The minister emphasized that these are not isolated incidents. During July and the first half of August 2026, Russia attacked 52 civilian vessels, some of which were transporting food and other cargo to or from Ukrainian ports, while others were in port. The attacks resulted in the deaths and injuries of crew members, damage to vessels, and additional threats to the safety of shipping.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>“Russia’s daily attacks on civilian vessels and port infrastructure pose a threat to civilian shipping, international supply chains, and global food security. The Ukrainian maritime corridor is significant far beyond the Black Sea. More than half of the cargo consists of grain destined for over 55 countries that are critically dependent on regular shipments of Ukrainian grain,” noted Mykola Kalashnyk.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

Earlier, on August 18, a civilian vessel was damaged as a result of a“Shahed” drone attack on a port in the Mykolaiv region on August 17.

On August 8, occupying forces attacked Mykolaiv with “Shahed”-type strike UAVs. Port infrastructure was targeted. A civilian vessel was damaged as a result of the attack. No one was injured.

Юлія Калабайда