Russia Halts Shipping Through Kerch Strait After Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Vessels

Russia has temporarily suspended civilian shipping through the Kerch Strait and the Don–Azov Shipping Canal following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov, according to Reuters on July 11, citing three sources in the grain export industry.

The restrictions were introduced after Ukrainian forces targeted multiple Russian ships, including oil tankers linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, disrupting one of the country’s key maritime export routes.

According to Reuters, Russia’s FSB Border Service informed shipping companies that, beginning at 18:10 local time on July 10, it had stopped accepting new applications for vessels seeking to transit the Kerch Strait, which connects the Sea of Azov with the Black Sea. The agency’s sources said no timeline has been provided for lifting the restrictions.

Reuters also reported that navigation through the Don–Azov Shipping Canal, which links the Don River with the Sea of Azov, has been suspended. The canal is a major transport route for Russian grain exports from the Rostov region and Krasnodar region—two of the country’s largest agricultural areas.

According to Reuters, the decision followed Ukrainian drone strikes on 13 Russian vessels operating in the Sea of Azov, including 10 oil tankers. The attacks are part of a broader Ukrainian campaign targeting Russian maritime logistics and energy infrastructure.

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War in Ukraine

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Market participants cited by Reuters estimate that up to one-quarter of Russia’s wheat exports pass through the Sea of Azov. Following reports of the shipping restrictions, Euronext wheat futures rose by nearly 4%, reaching their highest level in approximately six weeks.

Separately, Rostov region governor Yury Slyusar claimed on July 11 that four vessels in the Taganrog Bay had been attacked by Ukrainian drones overnight. Russian authorities said the ships sustained minor damage and reported one fatality. Ukraine has not commented on those claims.

The reported shipping restrictions come days after Ukraine intensified attacks against Russian maritime assets in the Sea of Azov. Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces said on July 10 that they had struck 13 Russian shadow fleet vessels in a single operation. Combined with an earlier FPV drone attack conducted by the Kairos unit, Ukrainian officials say 48 Russian vessels were hit over a five-day period.

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