Ukraine’s grain lifeline cut off: Odesa under fire, millions in jeopardy

Russian forces have launched a third consecutive night of attacks on Ukrainian cities in the south, including Odesa and Mykolaiv, further exacerbating the ongoing crisis in the region. As a result of the military onslaught on key infrastructure, there have been significant human casualties and a direct impact on Ukraine’s grain exports.

The termination of a wartime agreement that previously allowed Ukraine to export grain through the significant Black Sea port has amplified the crisis, potentially affecting millions of people who depend on the supply.

The strikes, referred to as “retaliatory” by the Russian military, targeted areas described as possessing “outstanding universal value” by UNESCO. The historic center of Odesa, added to UNESCO’s list of endangered World Heritage Sites earlier this year, faced heavy bombardments for the first time since the conflict began in February 2022.

Third night of Russian strikes escalate Ukraine conflict, disrupts grain exports. Photo courtesy of Norman Koroliuk on Unsplash.

Residents of Odesa are grappling with the severity of the situation, with fears that the termination of the grain agreement could lead to long-term targeting of their city. The strikes reportedly targeted production shops, storage sites, and critical fuel infrastructure facilities. However, these claims could not be independently verified.

Amid these developments, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced that vessels in the Black Sea heading to Russian ports may be considered as carrying military cargo, potentially increasing insurance costs for these ships. This follows Russia’s earlier declaration of the Black Sea as a danger zone for shipping.

The international community, including the EU, condemned Russia’s actions. Germany and the White House have warned of potential attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Black Sea, which could further escalate grain prices. This could adversely affect poorer countries that depend on Ukrainian grain.

In the midst of these developments, the US announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, which includes advanced air defense systems. Ukraine has begun deploying these systems effectively. Despite the escalating conflict, international inspectors have not seen signs of explosives at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which is under Russian control.