Russia Wants to Arm Grain Tankers in Response to Ukrainian Drone Attacks — Bloomberg
Russia is considering equipping grain carriers with large-caliber machine guns, armor, and anti-drone systems to secure grain exports following a series of attacks on ports and ships.
According to Bloomberg, the Russian military, transportation authorities, shipowners, and grain traders are discussing the installation of large-caliber machine guns, mobile missile launchers, armor plates, sandbags, and anti-drone nets on dry cargo ships.
It is also proposed that ships be escorted by armed military personnel during the initial stage of the route. After passing through the Kerch Strait, the military personnel are to leave the ships, taking their weapons and ammunition with them. Separately, the option of having grain carriers travel in convoys escorted by patrol boats is being considered.
Bloomberg notes that such measures indicate growing threats to Russian grain exports. According to the agency, recent attacks have already significantly impacted shipping in the Sea of Azov and contributed to a rise in global wheat prices.
At the same time, some market participants doubt the effectiveness of the proposed measures, believing that retrofitting ships and providing military escorts will be too costly and will not ensure complete protection.
Source: Bloomberg.
As a reminder, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck four fuel infrastructure facilities in Russia’s Stavropol Krai and also hit three tankers belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea.
A series of attacks on oil tankers has been reported in the Strait of Hormuz area; at least three vessels are on fire.
