The Black Sea has become the world's most dangerous shipping lane for merchant ships, with more than 570 ships attacked and at least 40 sailors killed this year. The Financial Times reports this and notes that the death toll in the Black Sea exceeds the 24 sailors who died in the Strait of Hormuz at the same time. The number of attacks increased sharply in the third quarter: "Approximately 387 attacks on ships were recorded between July and September, more than four a day, after Ukraine launched a campaign against ships linked to Russia and Russia increased attacks on ships visiting Ukrainian ports." Embry estimates that Russia was responsible for about 90% of the attacks on ships in the last 45 days using drones, naval drones with explosives and missiles, with a significantly higher number of attacks on ships carried out by Ukraine in the previous 45 days, although the British publication does not give percentages for this case. He notes that "the ports of Greater Odessa handled fewer than 10 ships last month, down from about 400 ships in July," as shipowners describe calls to Ukrainian ports as "almost suicidal" and insurance premiums covering war-related risks have soared.

The Black Sea has become the world's most dangerous shipping lane for merchant ships, with more than 570 ships attacked and at least 40 sailors killed this year. The Financial Times reports this and notes that the death toll in the Black Sea exceeds the 24 sailors who died in the Strait of Hormuz at the same time. The number of attacks increased sharply in the third quarter: "Approximately 387 attacks on ships were recorded between July and September, more than four a day, after Ukraine launched a campaign against ships linked to Russia and Russia increased attacks on ships visiting Ukrainian ports." Embry estimates that Russia was responsible for about 90% of the attacks on ships in the last 45 days using drones, naval drones with explosives and missiles, with a significantly higher number of attacks on ships carried out by Ukraine in the previous 45 days, although the British publication does not give percentages for this case. He notes that "the ports of Greater Odessa handled fewer than 10 ships last month, down from about 400 ships in July," as shipowners describe calls to Ukrainian ports as "almost suicidal" and insurance premiums covering war-related risks have soared.