Russia has warned that its exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea is no longer safe for navigation following a rise in Ukrainian strikes on vessels, according to a Bloomberg report.
The warning comes as shipping companies have suspended services to Black Sea ports amid escalating attacks in the region.
According to a weekly bulletin published on the website of Russia's Defence Ministry, the advisory was issued to all vessels operating within the country's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea.
The notice cited potential threats from Ukraine's unmanned aerial and marine vehicles.
The warning followed an escalation in Ukraine's attacks on ships operating in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
According to statements from Ukraine's General Staff, at least 124 Russia-linked vessels, including 89 tankers, were targeted between July 8 and July 20.
The reported number of attacked vessels could not be independently verified.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed concern over the safety of seafarers operating in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
The UN human rights office said it had verified at least four attacks on civilian vessels in Ukraine's Odesa region this month, in which 34 vessel workers were killed or injured.
Highlighting the risks faced by maritime workers, Volker Turk's spokeswoman, Shabia Mantoo, said:
"Seafarers should not be forced or compelled to endanger their lives by sailing through conflict zones. Nor should they face the risk of reprisal by shipowners if they decline these assignments."
