Russia to deem Ukraine-bound ships 'potential carriers of military cargo' from Wednesday eve

Grain ships carrying Ukrainian grain are seen in the Black Sea, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Ukrainian port of Odesa, Ukraine October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Serhii Smolientsev/File photo

(Reuters) - Russia's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday it would deem all ships travelling to Ukrainian ports to be potential carriers of military cargo and their flag countries to be parties to the conflict on the Ukrainian side.

The move follows Russia's decision this week to pull out of the U.N.-brokered Black Sea grain export deal which had guaranteed the safety of Ukrainian exports for the past year.