Russia Rethinks Shipping Routes Amid Surge in Drone Attacks

Russia has announced plans to boost protection of ships in the Azov-Black Sea basin following a surge in attacks by drones. The country's transport ministry has set up a task force to find new routes and shift cargo flows to other modes of transport.

The move comes after a sharp escalation of attacks at sea by both Russia and Ukraine, with each side targeting agricultural export facilities and commercial vessels in the Black Sea area. As a result, wheat prices have increased on global markets.

Russia's main grain lobby group has warned that Ukrainian drone attacks could shut down grain exports via the Black Sea in the near future, pushing up prices and causing hunger in Africa and the Middle East.