SOCHI. Sept 4 (Interfax) - Ukrainian naval drone attacks were one of the reasons why Russia pulled out of the grain deal, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"Oddly enough, this [drone problem] is directly correlated with the grain deal, because it's one of those violations which resulted in our withdrawal from the deal," Shoigu told journalists when commenting on the reports that a base making such drones had been destroyed.
"Initially, it was agreed that the Ukrainian ports would not be used to commit acts against Russian infrastructure, both military and civilian, nor to create drones, among other things. All this was violated," he said.
He also cited data on the destruction of naval drones: "Concerning crewless boats, seven were destroyed in the past week alone. Not even a week, but within five days."
Such boats are made at three ports: Chernomorsk, Yuzhny, and Odessa, he said.
"That is why we cannot watch such things calmly, we will continue to destroy these facilities," Shoigu said.