Russia Blames Ukraine for Grain Export Disruptions Amid Ongoing Conflict

Russia claims that Ukrainian drone attacks on its Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk have put two major grain terminals out of action, pushing up global food prices. Russia's main grain lobby group warned in July that Ukrainian attacks could shut down grain exports via the Black Sea, causing hunger in Africa and the Middle East.

Russia is the world's largest wheat exporter, with most of its exports shipped through Black Sea ports like Novorossiysk. The attack on the port has raised concerns about the global food supply chain, with prices potentially increasing further due to grain shortages.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Kyiv hit Russia's Novorossiysk naval base with drones, missiles, and unmanned boats. The attack killed at least two people, including an eight-year-old child, and damaged four unspecified enterprises and over two dozen residential buildings.

Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukraine's logistics and warehouse facilities in response to Kyiv's attacks on Russian energy, port, and logistic hubs. Moscow claims that Ukrainian strikes on grain infrastructure are pushing up global food prices and exacerbating grain shortages, serving the interests of some of Ukraine's allies.