A Russian warship reportedly fired warning shots at a Palau-flagged cargo ship in the Black Sea as it made its way to the Ukrainian port of Izmail. According to the Russian defense ministry, the warship opened fire with automatic weapons on the "Sukru Okan" vessel after the captain did not respond to a request to halt for an inspection. After boarding and inspecting the ship, the Sukru Okan was allowed to continue its journey to the port of Izmail. This incident comes after the collapse of a grain transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine, which has led to increased tensions in the Black Sea. The port of Izmail has become a major exit route for Ukrainian agricultural products, and Moscow's termination of the grain export agreement has further strained relations between the two countries. The incident with the cargo ship raises questions about Russia's stance on Ukraine and its willingness to acknowledge or respect any future plans for a safe "humanitarian corridor" in the Black Sea.