Russia's Black Sea Port Blockade Threatens Global Food Security

Russian strikes on Ukraine's Black Sea ports have severely impacted grain exports from Ukraine. Between July 1st and July 14th, Russia launched 23 strikes on Ukrainian ports, including in the Odessa region, and 17 attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea.

The most notable incident was a Russian missile strike on the civilian cargo ship GOLDEN LEO on July 19th, killing ten people, including a Ukrainian pilot. The ship was carrying Ukrainian corn when it was attacked.

The Director General of the Ukrainian Agrarian Federation Pavel Koval stated that nearly 90% of agricultural exports are carried out by sea and that port infrastructure has been severely damaged. Koval added that domestic grain prices in Ukraine have fallen while international prices have risen due to the disruptions.