Black Sea Grain Ship Attacks Escalate Amid Global Supply Fears

Russia and Ukraine have escalated their attacks on each other's commercial ships in the Black Sea area, sparking concerns about global grain supplies. At least five grain ships were struck near Russian ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse.

The ships targeted included the Russian-flagged Victoria V, which was due to load wheat at Novorossiysk, and the Fehu, a Marshall Islands-flagged ship that had already left the port with a cargo of wheat. The Elina B, sailing under the Maltese flag, was hit after loading 56,000 tons of wheat.

The attacks have halted shipments from Russia's Azov Sea ports since July 10, which account for a quarter of the country's grain exports. A Liberian-flagged ship, the Anna S, was also damaged in a drone strike while en route to Novorossiysk to load barley.

Moscow has downplayed the extent of the damage from the strikes, but increasing numbers of shipowners are wary of the risks of calling at Russian ports.