KYIV: Ukraine has accused Russia of deliberately striking its Black Sea grain facilities and destroying tonnes of food since Moscow’s withdrawal from an export deal aimed at preventing a global crisis. The allegations come as a fire of uncertain origin erupted at a military site in Russian-annexed Crimea, leading local officials to call for the evacuation of thousands of civilians.
Military sites in the peninsula, which serves as a crucial supply route for Russia’s war in Ukraine, have been repeatedly targeted in recent months. In response, Russia conducted strikes on Ukraine’s Odesa for the second consecutive night, claiming to have hit fuel and ammunition facilities near the Black Sea port, according to the defence ministry.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia was directly attacking the foundation of the now-lapsed grain deal, brokered by the UN and Turkey to address concerns of potential food shortages in vulnerable nations. Zelensky condemned Russia’s deliberate targeting of the grain deal infrastructure, asserting that every Russian missile was not only harming Ukraine but also endangering the world’s desire for a normal and safe life.
Ports in Odesa played a crucial role as transit hubs for grain exports from Ukraine until Russia recently announced its withdrawal from the agreement, which ensured safe passage for cargo ships in the Black Sea. Kyiv alleged that Russia had destroyed 60,000 tonnes of grain earmarked for export in overnight strikes around Odesa, accusing Moscow of intentionally targeting grain terminals.
Ukraine’s agriculture ministry stated that the grain was supposed to have been shipped through the grain corridor 60 days ago. Meanwhile, a fire broke out at a military site in Crimea, prompting Russian officials to call for the temporary evacuation of 2,000 people from the area. The cause of the fire remains unspecified, but reports suggest detonations were heard, and columns of black smoke were seen in the sky.
Russia Continues Aerial Bombardment of Ukraine
Russia has continued its aerial bombardment of Ukraine, although Kyiv’s defenses have strengthened over time. The Ukrainian air force reported shooting down 13 cruise missiles launched by Russian forces and 23 Iranian-made attack drones. As a result of the strikes, 10 civilians, including a nine-year-old boy, were injured. Strikes targeted an industrial facility in Odesa, and an X-59 missile, intercepted by Ukrainian forces, struck a residential neighborhood.
Russia claimed to have advanced one kilometer along the front line in Ukraine’s northeastern region of Kharkiv. The Russian army retaliated after an attack on the Kerch bridge, the sole link between annexed Crimea and mainland Russia, which Ukraine reportedly carried out using seaborne drones. Moscow subsequently withdrew from the grain deal, accusing Kyiv of exploiting the Black Sea grain corridor for military purposes.
The Kremlin issued a veiled warning regarding the risks to ships continuing grain exports from Ukraine, suggesting that any new arrangement excluding Russia should consider these risks. Russia announced the lifting of “safe navigation guarantees” for cargo ships in the Black Sea and indicated its intention to disband the coordination center of the grain deal in Istanbul.
