Why Russia is hitting civilian ships in the "Grain Corridor": ISW explains

Russia is striking civilian ships to push Ukraine towards premature negotiations.

This is reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). 

It is noted that Russian forces have attacked three civilian ships that have been in Ukrainian ports since October 5.

On October 9, Head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration of Ukraine, Oleh Kiper, stated that ballistic missiles hit port infrastructure in Odesa region and later targeted a civilian container ship flying the Panamanian flag.

In Russia, attempts were made to justify the recent attacks on civilian vessels by claiming that the ships were transporting weapons, but ISW found no independent confirmation of these claims.

"Russian strikes on civilian ships in the grain corridor are almost certainly intended to undermine confidence in Ukraine's ability to maintain and protect the corridor, influence current Western discussions on long-term support for Ukraine, and negatively impact Ukraine's efforts for economic recovery amid the ongoing war," ISW writes.

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