Russian drones hit Ukraine grain export route

Kyiv, The Gulf Observer: Russian drones have damaged infrastructure at a Ukrainian port on the Danube, as Moscow targeted facilities vital for grain shipments from Ukraine following the collapse of a key export arrangement.

Türkiye, which along with the United Nations brokered the deal to allow Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, urged Russia after the port strike not to take steps that would escalate tensions.

Russia struck a grain elevator in the port of Izmail which sits just across the Danube river from Romania, damaging silos, warehouses and administrative buildings, Kiev said on Wednesday.

Izmail is now the main export route for Ukrainian agricultural products via neighbouring Romania, following Russia’s withdrawal last month from the Black Sea grain agreement.

The deal had allowed around 33 million tonnes of grain to leave Ukrainian ports, easing fears of food shortages.

Russia has been pounding the seaports in the Odesa region that were key for the grain exports granted safe passage under the deal.