Russia said Tuesday it was looking at “alternative shipping routes” and could limit traffic in the Azov Sea due to intensifying Ukrainian strikes, as Kyiv claims to have hit over 100 vessels there in nine days.

The Azov Sea is nestled between Russia, the southern stretch of Ukraine that has been occupied by Moscow’s army and Russia-annexed Crimea.

It is an important export route for agricultural products — including grain from occupied Ukraine that Kyiv says is “stolen” — and for supplies to Crimea.

The strikes at sea come as Ukraine has massively intensified long-range drone attacks deep into Russia, causing nationwide fuel shortages.

“Alternative shipping routes are currently being worked out in collaboration with relevant agencies and the business community,” Russia’s Agriculture Ministry said in a statement. It insisted that exports will carry on.

“The situation in the Azov Sea will not affect the domestic market’s food supply or our country’s export capabilities,” the ministry said, saying “supply logistics will be redirected if necessary.”

The Russian transport ministry said it was “taking all necessary measures to ensure the smooth operation of freight logistics in light of the increasing number of enemy attacks on the civilian fleet” in the Azov Sea. It added that “if necessary”, some “cargo will be redirected to other modes of transport.”

The commander of Ukraine’s drone forces said Tuesday that Ukraine had hit “116 vessels over the past nine days”, including several tankers and cargo ships in the Azov Sea.

He said the aim was to damage Russia’s “shadow fleet” and to limit Russia’s petrol supplies to Moscow-controlled Crimea. (AFP)