Ukrainian attacks on Russian tankers and the Russian response

Here is the chronological sequence of events.

• Ukrainian attacks on Russian tankers (17-20 July): Ukraine has intensified its attacks against the Russian "shadow fleet". On 17 July, a tanker was damaged by drones while approaching the terminal of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) near Novorossiysk. Between 19 and 20 July, President Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck two tankers and four Russian merchant ships in the Black Sea.

• The Russian response (20-22 July): Russia responded with a series of targeted attacks against Ukrainian port infrastructure and merchant ships. From the Russian perspective, this was a direct response to the attacks suffered. Between 20 and 22 July, the Russian army struck several ships, including the bulk carrier Golden Rose, and continued to bombard Ukrainian ports.

• The suspension of ships (22 July): it was at this point that shipowners, faced with the escalation of violence and security risks, made the autonomous decision to suspend calls. As stated by Minister Vysotskyi, from 22 July ships have temporarily ceased calling at Ukrainian ports.