Russia has carried out heavy attacks on the port in Odessa for the second night in a row, but the authorities have indicated that they will not give in to intimidation and will continue to export grain, writes Reuters.
Serhiy Bratchuk, the representative of the Odesa military administration, said in a statement on Telegram that the attack was very strong and widespread. He added that it was a hell of a night, and information on damage and casualties will follow.
The attacks on the port of Odessa on the night of the 18th of July and the 19th of July, which is one of the main export points for grain, follow Russia’s promise of revenge for the bombing of the bridge over the Kerch Strait. It connects the occupied Crimea with Russia. Moscow blames Ukraine for the explosion.
Soon after the explosion on the bridge, Moscow ended its participation in the so-called Black Sea grain deal, which allowed the safe export of grain grown in Ukraine. The UN has indicated that Russia’s actions are increasing the threat of famine around the world. Bratchuk also said:
“(They’re) are trying to scare the whole world, especially those who want to work for the grain corridor…
Ukraine, Turkey, and the United Nations. But I think that all normal, rational people will look and say: Odesa was not afraid, is not afraid, and will not be afraid – we will work.”
On the night of the 19th of July, the air alert sounded in most of the territory of Ukraine.
Russia has not commented on the latest attacks. On Tuesday, the 18th of July, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that it had attacked military targets in two Ukrainian port cities.
Moscow’s decision to withdraw from the “grain deal” has mainly affected African and Asian countries, and
the UN has informed that several ideas are being considered to ensure grain exports.
Negotiations on the export of grain from Black Sea ports were led by Turkey and the UN last July. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent war have raised concerns about global food shortages, as both countries are among the world’s largest grain exporters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukrainians are fighting for security in the world and for the rights of Ukrainian farmers. Meanwhile, the representative of the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, has stated that the continuation of the movement of ships without the participation of Russia is a big risk.
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