Russia Considers Arming Grain Ships with Machine Guns and Missile Launchers to Counter Ukrainian Drones

Russian officials are exploring the possibility of equipping cargo vessels carrying grain through the Sea of Azov with machine guns and mobile missile launchers to defend against Ukrainian drone strikes, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.

The Russian military and government agencies are in talks with grain traders and shipowners about safeguarding cargo. Moscow recommends temporarily outfitting dry-cargo ships with makeshift defenses, including armor plating, sandbags, anti-drone netting, and purpose-built machine-gun positions.

According to documents obtained by Bloomberg, one plan involves soldiers armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles escorting vessels during the initial leg of the journey. Under this plan, soldiers would board the ships in Sea of Azov ports, mount weapons on specially built platforms, and then leave the vessels after they pass through the Kerch Strait, taking the weapons with them.

Armed guards have already been spotted on tankers in the so-called shadow fleet, which carries Russian oil to circumvent Western sanctions. Ukraine has also targeted these vessels.

Another proposal under discussion involves cargo ships traveling between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea in convoys escorted by military boats. Traders and shipowners would bear the costs of reinforcing vessels and providing military escorts. Some carriers and market participants doubt the effectiveness of these measures, partly due to their high expense.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that international maritime law prohibits merchant vessels from carrying weapons. However, he said Russia's navy could still take steps to protect such ships. Peskov also cited President Vladimir Putin's call to treat any interference with the commercial fleet as acts of piracy.

Up to a quarter of Russia's grain exports pass through the Sea of Azov. Over the past two weeks, trade there has nearly halted due to Ukrainian strikes on ports and vessels. If the situation persists, experts estimate Russia could lose between 500,000 and 1.5 million metric tons of grain exports per month.

Ukrainian forces are conducting similar strikes on Russian Black Sea ports. Those ports continue operating, but cargo flow has also declined. In response, Russia is striking Ukraine's Black Sea ports. These mutual attacks have driven wheat prices to a two-year high.