Starting from July 21, all vessels heading to Russian or occupied ports will be treated as targets - Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has announced that starting from July 21, all ships heading to Russian or occupied ports will be treated as carrying military cargo with all the relevant risks.

The Ministry posted a statement on its social media channels.

The ministry warned that the vessels would be considered "carrying military cargo with all the relevant risks".

"...The Kremlin has turned the Black Sea into a danger zone, primarily for Russian vessels and vessels sailing in the Black Sea towards Russian seaports and Ukrainian seaports located on the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia. Responsibility for all risks lies entirely with the Russian leadership," the statement reads.

Due to the danger, Ukraine has banned shipping in the northeastern part of the Black Sea and the Kerch-Yenikal Strait.

Navigational information for sailors has already been made public.