The White House: Russia may attack civilian cargo ships in the Black Sea

The White House warned on Wednesday that Russia may expand its targeting of Ukrainian grain facilities to include attacks on civilian shipping in the Black Sea.

White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said that US officials have information indicating that Russia has deployed additional naval mines at the entrances to Ukrainian ports, and that Russia has announced that all ships heading to Ukrainian ports through the waters of the Black Sea They will be considered potential carriers of military cargo.

“We believe this is a concerted effort to justify any attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea and to blame Ukraine for these attacks,” he added.

Ukraine earlier on Wednesday accused Russia of damaging its grain export infrastructure with “outrageous” strikes overnight focused on two of its Black Sea ports, and vowed not to be deterred from working to keep grain exports out of its ports.