Turkey controls the Bosphorus Strait, the only entrance to the Black Sea — and a major thoroughfare for Russian shipping. A ship watcher and geopolitical analyst, Yoruk Isik, spent the weeks leading up to the invasion of Ukraine noting a high number of Russian warships passing through. Now that those are blocked from entry, he’ll keep an eye on Russian cargo ships and oil tankers, which are now selling crude at reduced prices to whomever will buy it.
The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?