Russia is taking a beating in the Black Sea. Is it plotting a new escalation?

Against the backdrop of such attacks, the British Foreign Office said in a statement Wednesday that Russia wants to “deter the export of Ukrainian grain” by covertly targeting cargo ships.

“Information declassified today shows Russia may continue to target civilian shipping in the Black Sea, including by laying sea mines in the approach to Ukrainian ports,” it said. “Russia almost certainly wants to avoid openly sinking civilian ships, instead falsely laying blame on Ukraine for any attacks against civilian vessels in the Black Sea.”