Ukrainian Strikes Choke Off Russia's Grain Exports Through Black Sea

Russia's ability to export grain through the Black Sea is being severely disrupted by Ukrainian strikes on logistics facilities, says Oleh Ivashchenko, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. This has created significant problems for Russia's export logistics, particularly with grain exports.

Russia relies heavily on a narrow maritime route to export around 40 million tons of this year's harvest through the Black Sea, which requires about 30 vessels every day. However, there are virtually no alternative routes, and transporting grain by rail or road is more expensive but still does not solve the problem.

The country produces approximately 130 million tons of grain each year, using around 80 million tons for domestic needs and trying to sell the rest on foreign markets. Ivashchenko notes that restrictions on Russian grain exports affect the resources Moscow uses to sustain its economy and continue the war.