Russia may attack civilian vessels in the Black Sea - White House

The US Presidential Administration believes that Russia may attack civilian vessels in the Black Sea.

This is reported by Reuters.

White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge claims that Russia laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports, and all ships heading to Ukrainian ports will be considered military cargo carriers for Russia.

"We believe that this is a coordinated effort to justify any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and lay blame on Ukraine for these attacks," Hodge said.

The day before, the Russian Defence Ministry said that from 20 July, Russia would consider vessels travelling in the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports as allegedly "potential carriers of military cargo". The countries whose flags are on the vessels will be considered "involved in the war on the side of Ukraine".