The Ukrainian offensive has petered out – even CNN says it:

'[The Ukrainians are] still going to see, [whether] in the next couple of weeks, there is a chance of making some progress. But for them really to make the progress that would alter the balance to this conflict – I think, it's extremely, highly unlikely' – an unnamed "Senior Western diplomat" [told CNN].'

Yet, as one 'war front' bows out, an 'out-of-view' war on Black sea shipping has raised its head.

The 'new war' might alternatively be called the 'Grain War' – as representing the sequent to Moscow's resiling from the 'Grain Deal' last month. To underline Moscow's serious intent to terminate what, for Russia had proved to be a wholly unsatisfactory affair (amidst a general reneging on its terms), Moscow acted to incapacitate the port facilities of a number of Black Sea ports serving Ukraine, which it said had been used to store weapons (as well as to export grain).

On 19 July, Moscow warned that all vessels approaching Ukraine from the following day would be considered as potential carriers of military cargo, and treated accordingly. Insurance cover costs naturally soared.