Ukraine's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Volodymyr Pavlichenko said this at a UN Security Council meeting on Monday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
According to him, Moscow is seeking to undermine Ukraine's ability to export agricultural products, intimidate commercial shipping and exert pressure on global food markets.
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, at least 1,054 port infrastructure facilities and 232 civilian vessels have been damaged or partially destroyed. As a result of Russia's campaign of terror targeting Ukraine's port infrastructure and shipping, 307 civilians have been killed or injured, the diplomat said.
He said that in June and July alone, Russia attacked nearly 50 cargo vessels, killing more than 30 people.
Pavlichenko described several attacks on ships, including the July 19 strike on the Guinean-flagged bulk carrier Golden Leo, owned by a Turkish company and carrying Ukrainian grain through the maritime corridor.
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The vessel posed no military threat, Pavlichenko said. Ten people, including a Ukrainian maritime pilot, were killed in the attack.
According to him, these facts are difficult to explain as a coincidence or an accident. These were deliberate actions, Pavlichenko said.
According to him, maritime exports through Ukrainian ports have been suspended since July 22 as a result.
Pavlichenko said that these attacks are taking place at the height of the harvest season, when millions of tonnes of Ukrainian agricultural products are due to reach global markets.
More than 90% of Ukraine's agricultural exports pass through Black Sea ports, he added.
The diplomat said that no one is attacking Russia's grain routes, striking Russian commercial vessels or destroying its grain terminals.
At the same time, he noted that Ukraine is exercising its right to self-defense in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
Ukrainian forces target only Russia's military capabilities and facilities that support the Russian war machine, Pavlichenko said.
He called on the UN to use all available tools to stop attacks on civilians, restore freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and ensure the safety of seafarers.
Ukraine requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on July 27 in response to Russia's attacks on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
Photo: video screenshot