Ukraine says Russia is threatening civilian vessels in Black Sea

FILE PHOTO: Chief of Staff of Ukrainian Presidential Office Andriy Yermak speaks during a press conference with member of the International Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of War after a meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 29, 2023. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi/file photo

KYIV (Reuters) - The Ukrainian president's chief of staff said on Friday Russia was threatening civilian vessels in the Black Sea, and urged the international community to condemn what he said were "the methods of terrorists".

Russia last week quit a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey allowing Ukraine to safely export grain via the Black Sea and warned that ships heading to Ukrainian seaports could be considered military targets.