Ukraine claims a Russian drone attack on Danube port infrastructure.
.jpeg)
Russian drones on Sunday attacked port infrastructure on the Danube River, which is vital to Ukraine's grain exports, wounding at least two people in an attack in southern Odessa Oblast, Ukrainian officials said. The Danube has become Ukraine's main grain export route since July, when Russia pulled out of a United Nations-brokered deal with Turkey that allowed Kiev to safely transport grain, oilseeds and vegetable oils across the Black Sea. A meeting is scheduled between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. Turkey is pushing for a renewal of the wheat deal.
The Southern Military Command of Ukraine reported on social media that at least two civilians were injured in the morning attack on the so-called “civilian infrastructure on the Danube”.
The Ukrainian Air Force stated that air defense systems shot down 22 of the 25 Iranian Shahed drones launched by Russia.
The authorities did not provide any information on the affected port facilities, but some Ukrainian media reported explosions in the port of Reni, which is one of the two main Ukrainian ports on the Danube, along with Ismail. The fire caused by the attack on the plant was quickly extinguished, the military said.
Interfax cites a statement by the Russian Ministry of Defense that a group of Russian drones managed to hit fuel depots in the port of Reni, used by the Ukrainian army.
Reuters could not independently verify this information.
Reni and Ismail have been repeatedly attacked by Russian drones in recent weeks.
"Russian terrorists continue to attack port infrastructure in hopes of triggering a food crisis and world hunger"; – wrote the Chief of Staff of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak on Telegram.
Posted a photo of a firefighter directing water at the burning ruins of concrete structures.
The Black Sea Grains Agreement concluded in July 2022 aimed to alleviate the global food crisis. Ukraine is a major producer of grains and oilseeds, and the fall in its exports following the outbreak of war last February has pushed global food prices to record highs.
Russia has complained that the deal is hampering the export of its food and fertilizer products and that not enough Ukrainian grain has been shipped to needy countries.