Ten Killed as Russian Attacks on Merchant Ships in Black Sea Intensify The recent spate of Russian attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea has left 10 people dead and sparked fears of a widening conflict.
The fighting, which has been contained to the Donbas region for years, appears to be escalating. One explanation for this shift is Russia's attempt to strangle Ukraine's economy by targeting its maritime exports.
With two thirds of Ukrainian agricultural exports valued at $9 billion annually passing through the Black Sea, Moscow may be trying to deter foreign companies from buying Ukrainian products and using its maritime corridor.