Russia Proposes Arming Grain Ships in Azov Sea

By Pyotr Kozlov (Bloomberg) — Russian officials are proposing arming grain ships with machine guns and mobile missile launchers, as the world’s top wheat exporter tries to counter Ukrainian drone attacks.

The nation’s military and transport authorities are in talks with grain traders and shipowners to protect cargoes leaving through the Sea of Azov, according to people familiar with the matter. The sea normally handles about a quarter of Russia’s grain shipments, but for the past two weeks, trade has been suspended by strikes on ports, vessels and other maritime infrastructure.

Moscow is recommending temporarily equipping bulk carriers with everything from armor