Ukrainian port facilities in Izmail, located on the River Danube near the Romanian border, were hit by a Russian drone strike. The attack damaged a grain warehouse and a grain-loading
elevator, resulting in the destruction of almost 40,000 tonnes of grain destined for African countries, China, and Israel. This targeted attack came after Russia abandoned a UN deal that facilitated safe grain exports between Ukraine and Russia across the Black Sea.
Ukraine's defence ministry reported the damage to an elevator and launched an investigation into a cargo terminal, warehouse, and elevator within the Odesa region. Ukraine, a major exporter of wheat and corn, plays a crucial role in global food security. It is a significant source of wheat for countries like Somalia, which relies on Ukraine and Russia for 90% of its wheat.
France's foreign ministry accused Russia of jeopardizing global food security by targeting grain exports at the Ukrainian port. Last week, Russian drones also attacked grain warehouses in Reni, near Romanian territory. Romania's President Klaus Iohannis condemned these attacks as war crimes, further impacting Ukraine's capacity to provide food aid to those in need.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has been accused by the West of "weaponizing" food, and he emphasized that Russia would not return to the UN deal until its own grain and fertilizer exports were guaranteed. Moscow is facing challenges in its own grain exports and seeks relaxed sanctions. By attacking Ukrainian ports, Russia aims to assert its importance in the export of Ukrainian grain.
With the Black Sea ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk attacked earlier, the Danube is now seen as an alternative route for grain export. However, the attacks are likely to result in a significant drop in Ukraine's grain exports. Ukrainian officials have been exploring other routes, including the use of ports in Croatia, with the help of European Union "solidarity lanes."
While ships continue to sail across the Black Sea to Ukraine's ports on the Danube, operations in Izmail have reportedly been suspended. The situation has raised concerns about global food security, particularly for vulnerable African and Asian nations. Additionally, Russia launched more than 10 drones against Kyiv overnight, damaging non-residential buildings. Photo by Alexey M., Wikimedia commons.