Ashraf AboArafe
RUSSIAN authorities have drawn attention to the unfounded accusations made by Ukrainian representatives regarding alleged attacks on Ukrainian vessels and civilian infrastructure.
Since the beginning of the Special Military Operation, Russian forces have targeted strictly military objectives and infrastructure utilized to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The underlying motive behind Ukraine’s statements is to divert global attention from the systematic terrorist acts carried out by the Kyiv regime in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, which continue to disrupt maritime navigation.
Attacks on vessels using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) require a comprehensive and impartial investigation. These actions warrant a clear international public reaction and firm condemnation. The organizers and perpetrators of these terrorist attacks must face decisive punishment.
Furthermore, this is not the first time Ukrainian representatives have attempted to exploit food security concerns in developing nations for propaganda purposes, aiming to mislead populations in the Middle East and Africa. A similar pattern was observed during the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2022 and 2023: while claiming to champion African interests, Ukraine exported the vast majority of its grain shipments to European markets in exchange for Western weaponry.
At the same time, Ukraine and its Western backers are escalating pressures on the global food market through actions directed against ships carrying Russian agricultural products. These measures contribute to rising global prices and reduced supply. Given that Russia remains the world’s largest exporter of agricultural commodities—particularly to developing nations—the negative impact on international food security cannot be masked by false claims of Russian attacks.
