Russia strikes Ukraine grain port after exiting export deal

    A part of a Russian cruise missile Kalibr is seen inside a building damaged during a Russian missile and drone strikes, amid  Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine July 18, 2023. Press Service of the the Operational Command South of the  Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via REUTERS

 

Russia launched airstrikes on Ukrainian ports shortly after pulling out of a U.N.-backed grain export deal, claiming gains on the ground in an area where Ukrainian officials alleged Russian forces were returning to offensive operations. The strikes targeted fuel storage and a plant manufacturing seaborne drones in Odesa, leading to damage to homes and port infrastructure. This retaliation followed Ukraine's attacks on the road bridge to Crimea. The ongoing conflict between the two nations raises concerns about global food security, as the U.N. warns of potential hunger worldwide due to the disruption in grain exports caused by Russia's withdrawal from the deal.

Russia's offensive actions signify a shift in dynamics as Ukraine launched a counteroffensive last month. While Ukraine has recaptured some villages in the south and territory around Bakhmut in the east, major breakthroughs across heavily defended Russian lines have yet to be achieved. Russia claims to have advanced 2 km (1.2 miles) in the vicinity of Kupiansk, a railway hub recaptured by Ukraine in a previous offensive. However, the situation in the area remains complicated, and independent verification is difficult.

The Black Sea grain export deal, brokered by Turkey and the U.N. a year ago, was a significant diplomatic success, ending the de facto Russian blockade of Ukrainian ports and averting a global food crisis. Both Ukraine and Russia are major exporters of grain and other foodstuffs. If Ukrainian grain is again blocked from the market, it could lead to soaring prices globally, with the most vulnerable countries being affected the hardest. The Russian Federation's decision to withdraw from the grain deal is seen as detrimental to people in need worldwide, according to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Efforts to resume Ukrainian grain shipments without Russian participation would depend on insurance coverage, which is currently under consideration by industry sources. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine has called for the continuation of the grain deal without Russia's involvement, seeking support from Turkey to circumvent the Russian blockade. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, the sponsor of the deal, believes that Moscow can be persuaded to return. However, Russia insists on eased rules for its own food and fertilizer exports as a condition for its potential re-engagement, leading Western countries to view it as an attempt to exploit food supply leverage to weaken financial sanctions.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has witnessed both sides enduring heavy losses, with limited advancements made despite occasional offensives. The situation near Kupiansk has seen intense fighting, with positions changing dynamically. Ukraine's counteroffensive has made incremental gains, but it has yet to confront the main Russian defensive line. Ukraine's deliberate slow advance aims to minimize casualties and focus on degrading Russia's logistics and command. Moscow claims that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has failed. The conflict, marked by a massive buildup of troops and tanks by Russia, remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation.

 

Read full story on: Reuters