Vance asked Ukraine to not strike Russian energy infrastructure: reports

Ukraine has reportedly agreed to cease targeting Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) infrastructure and non-Russian vessels, a move attributed to a late July request from U.S. Vice President JD Vance. This agreement is contingent on the vessels not being under Ukrainian sanctions or carrying Russian oil.

“

Because Russia is the world’s largest wheat exporter, the strikes on the grain terminals raised fears of a disruption to global supplies.

Despite this reported de-escalation, Ukrainian attacks on Russia's Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk on Wednesday struck warships at a naval base and forced two major grain terminals to halt operations. Russian officials and grain industry sources confirmed the attacks, which Ukraine's SBU security service described as having "strategic significance." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that drones and missiles hit two frigates, a large landing ship, a corvette, and other vessels.

The strikes on the grain terminals have heightened concerns about global supply disruptions, as Russia is the world's largest wheat exporter. Chicago wheat futures saw a roughly 3% increase following the Novorossiysk attack. Russia's agriculture ministry is reportedly working to reroute export flows, while the nation's main grain lobby warned that such Ukrainian attacks could halt Black Sea grain exports, potentially leading to food shortages in Africa and the Middle East.

“

Describing the attack as having “strategic significance,” Ukraine’s SBU security service said Kyiv’s forces hit the Novorossiysk naval base with drones and missiles.

Meanwhile, Ukraine and Moldova have agreed to a plan to transport Ukrainian grain shipments via Moldova by rail. In Crimea, over three dozen drones were shot down in Sevastopol on Wednesday, according to the Russian-installed governor. As the conflict continues, Moscow has intensified strikes on Ukraine's logistics and warehouse facilities in response to Kyiv's attacks on Russian energy, port, and logistics hubs.

“

Two frigates, a large landing ship, a corvette and other vessels were hit.