Russia has resumed its targeting of grain infrastructure in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, according to local officials. This time, they used drones in overnight strikes on storage facilities and ports along the Danube River. These ports have become increasingly important for grain transport to Europe since Moscow ended a key wartime export deal through the Black Sea.
At the same time, a container ship that had been stuck at the port of Odesa since Russia’s full-scale invasion over 17 months ago finally set sail. The ship was heading through the Black Sea to the Bosporus along a temporary corridor established by Ukraine for merchant shipping.
Ukraine heavily relies on farming and agricultural exports, just like Russia. The country’s agricultural exports, including wheat, barley, sunflower oil, and other food products, are crucial for world supplies, especially for developing nations. After the Kremlin terminated an agreement last month that was brokered by the U.N. and Turkey to ensure safe grain exports through the Black Sea, Kyiv has been trying to redirect transport through the Danube and road and rail links into Europe. However, transport costs are significantly higher this way, some European countries are concerned about the impact on local grain prices, and the Danube ports can’t handle the same volume as seaports.
The primary targets of Russia’s recent drone bombardment were port terminals and grain silos, including those at the ports in the Danube delta, according to Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper. However, air defenses managed to intercept 13 drones.
This attack is the latest in a series of aerial strikes by Russia, specifically targeting the Danube delta ports, which are located just 15 kilometers from the Romanian border. The Danube is a vital transport route and Europe’s second-longest river.
As for the container ship, it was the first vessel to set sail from Odesa since July 16, after being stuck there since February 2022. The ship, named Joseph Schulte and registered in Hong Kong, was traveling down the temporary corridor that Ukraine asked the International Maritime Organization to ratify. The United States has issued warnings about possible Russian military attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Black Sea.
However, there are risks associated with the voyage due to sea mines, and ship insurance costs are likely to be high for operators. To address these concerns, Ukraine has informed the IMO that it will provide compensation guarantees for any damage.
Recent events highlight the tense situation in the region. Just last Sunday, a Russian warship fired warning shots at a Palau-flagged cargo ship in the south Black Sea. The ship, named Sukru Okan, was heading towards the Ukrainian Danube River port of Izmail, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry.
Ukrainian officials claim another milestone in their counteroffensive against Russian forces, as Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar announced the recapture of a village called Urozhaine in the eastern Donetsk region. The village is located near Staromaiorske, another hamlet that Ukraine claims to have recently recaptured. These claims, however, cannot be independently verified. Ukraine faces strong defensive lines and is advancing without air support in its attempt to drive a wedge between Russian forces in the south.
In unrelated news, the Russian military reported shooting down three drones over the Kaluga region southwest of Moscow, blaming the attack on Ukraine. Fortunately, no damage or casualties were reported.
This article was contributed by Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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