The conflict has intensified sharply between Russia and Ukraine since the outbreak of fighting about a year and a half ago, and with the intensification of military clashes between the two sides, two cargo ships departed from the ports of the Black Sea in southern Ukraine despite the Russian naval blockade.

According to data published by the Marine Traffic website today, Friday, the two ships left the Port of Pivdennyi, about twenty kilometers east of Odesa. The ships "Philia Glory" and "Ocean Courtesy" fly the flags of Liberia and the Marshall Islands.

It was reported that "Philia Glory" was first summoned to the Port of Odesa, then a course was set for the Bulgarian port of Varna. It is unknown whether the ships are carrying cargo.

It is worth noting that dozens of commercial ships have been stuck in Ukrainian Black Sea ports since the Russian-Ukrainian war began on February 24, 2022. Some ships carrying grain were allowed to pass under an agreement brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, but Russia suspended it in mid-July.

This week, the Russian and Turkish foreign ministers met to discuss renewing the agreement that has helped Ukraine export 33 million tons of grain and other agricultural products since last summer despite the ongoing war.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov demanded guarantees from the West that Russia would also be allowed to export grain and fertilizer without obstacles. In return, Russia would be ready to reinstate the grain agreement that it withdrew from in mid-July.

The meeting between the two ministers aims to prepare for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Sochi on Monday, as confirmed by the Kremlin today, Friday.