Russia intensifies Black Sea attacks as shipowners suspend Ukraine port arrivals

Vessel arrivals at Ukraine's Black Sea ports have been halted as shipowners react to intensified Russian missile and drone strikes targeting logistics and port infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow might escalate these attacks, aiming to disrupt Ukraine's primary corridor for grain exports. The situation has rapidly deteriorated, impacting Ukraine's economy, which heavily relies on agricultural exports.

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Yesterday... not a single ship entered the port. They've been hitting all the ships. They're going to step this up.

In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its bombardment of port facilities in the southern Odesa region. A missile strike on a corn-carrying ship on Sunday resulted in 10 fatalities, predominantly foreigners. Zelensky stated on Thursday that "not a single ship entered the port" the previous day and predicted further escalation. According to Odesa regional prosecutors, Russia struck 28 civilian vessels and killed 21 people between June 20 and July 20.

Ukraine's agriculture minister, Taras Vysotskyi, confirmed that shipowners have temporarily suspended arrivals intended to pick up agricultural products. He emphasized that Ukraine itself has not imposed any restrictions. This suspension reflects a significant reduction in Ukraine's export capacity, with traders and analysts estimating a loss of about one-third of its Black Sea grain export capability due to the strikes.

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Ukraine, as a state, has not imposed any restrictions

Russia claims it is targeting port infrastructure and vessels supporting the Ukrainian military. Meanwhile, Ukraine has also increased its attacks on vessels, primarily those carrying fuel, in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, as part of its campaign to isolate Russian-occupied Crimea and undermine Moscow's revenue streams. Ukraine's acting foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, characterized the Russian strikes during the peak harvest season as "deliberate economic and humanitarian terror" and announced Ukraine's request for an urgent UN Security Council meeting on July 27.

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deliberate economic and humanitarian terror