Bloomberg: Russia is considering arming grain ships with machine guns and missile launchers to fend off Ukrainian drones

Meduza reports that Russian officials are considering outfitting cargo ships with machine guns, missile launchers, and armor plating to defend against Ukrainian drone attacks in the Sea of Azov. One proposal would have soldiers armed with Kalashnikovs board the ships at port and escort them through the first leg of the route before disembarking. Another plan calls for military-escorted convoys. The urgency stems from escalating losses: trade in the sea has nearly halted over the past two weeks due to Ukrainian strikes, and Russia faces losing between five hundred thousand and one point five million metric tons of grain exports each month if conditions don't improve. There's a catch—Kremlin spokesman Peskov noted that international maritime law prohibits arming merchant vessels, and the costs would fall on traders and shipowners themselves.

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