Russia turns grain ships into floating gun platforms as Kyiv’s drone attacks intensify

Russia is preparing to equip grain carriers with machine guns, armour plating and military escorts as Ukrainian attacks increasingly threaten its maritime export routes.

According to reports from Bloomberg, Russian officials are discussing plans to temporarily install heavy weapons and defensive equipment on civilian bulk cargo vessels to protect grain shipments from drone strikes.

The proposals involve the military, transport authorities, grain traders and shipowners, and come after a wave of attacks on Russian ports, ships and maritime infrastructure.

Shipping through the Sea of Azov has reportedly almost stopped in recent weeks, despite the route normally accounting for around a quarter of Russia’s grain exports.

Under the plans, grain carriers could be fitted with armour plating, sandbags, anti-drone netting and mounts for heavy machine guns. Some weapons would reportedly be equipped with thermal imaging and night-vision systems to help crews detect incoming threats.

One proposal, known as the “go-pro scheme”, would see armed Russian military personnel board vessels while they remain in Sea of Azov ports. Troops would install machine guns on prepared mounts before leaving the ships after they pass through the Kerch Strait, taking the weapons and ammunition with them.

Another option would involve grain ships travelling in convoys protected by Russian military patrol boats as they move between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.

The measures highlight the growing pressure Ukraine’s drone campaign is placing on Russia’s war economy.

Attacks on ports, fuel facilities and logistics networks have forced Moscow to devote increasing resources to protecting infrastructure far from the frontline.

The disruption has already affected exporters and farmers, while uncertainty over Russian supplies has contributed to global wheat prices reaching their highest level in two years.

However, some traders and shipping experts are sceptical that arming commercial vessels will provide a long-term solution.

Retrofitting large cargo ships, deploying escorts and maintaining military protection could prove expensive, while offering no guarantee against increasingly sophisticated drone attacks.

The move also raises concerns about turning civilian shipping into a military target, potentially increasing risks for crews and international trade routes.

Russia’s decision to consider armed grain carriers underlines how the conflict in Ukraine has expanded beyond traditional battlefields. As Kyiv continues targeting the infrastructure supporting Moscow’s economy, Russia is being forced to find new ways to defend the supply chains that help finance its war effort.