The United States is warning that Russia could use its own sea mines in a false flag operation to justify the ongoing targeting of civilian grain vessels in the northern Black Sea.

“Our information indicates additional sea mines in the entrances to Ukrainian ports, and yesterday we observed Russia release a video of the detection and detonation of what they claim was a Ukrainian sea mine,” Mr. Kirby said.

“We believe that this is rather a coordinated effort to justify any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and then blame them on Ukraine in what we would consider… a false flag operation.”

Mr. Kirby said the White House was “watching very, very closely” for any sign of a Russian false flag operation that might justify increased attacks against civilian infrastructure, further jeopardizing the world’s food supply.

Likewise, he said, the Biden administration is issuing sanctions against nearly 120 entities it says are responsible for helping Russia obtain access to international finance and military technologies.

Well at least there's one thing we know how to do, levy sanctions. It's not like we've annoyed everyone on the planet with those yet, to the point that they might upset the house of cards on which our entire economy is built.