Against the backdrop of increased exports from Black Sea ports, the Russian Federation is intensifying attacks on port infrastructure

On the night of September 25, the Russian Federation fired 12 Kalibr missiles, almost 20 Shaheds and two Onyx supersonic missiles at the port infrastructure of Odesa, but all drones and 11 Kalibrs were destroyed by the air defense forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Moreover, Calibers moved along complex trajectories through several regions of Ukraine. In addition to the surface missile carrier, a submarine was also involved in the attack.

As a result of the attack, the Odesa naval station was significantly damaged, and a fire broke out in the building of the station hotel, which has not been functioning for several years, which was quickly extinguished, and a private house was damaged in the suburbs of Odesa. Granaries were destroyed by Onyx missiles. A grass fire was recorded in open areas, which firefighters immediately extinguished. Blast waves broke glass in some houses, one civilian woman was injured, she was given the necessary medical assistance, the Southern Defense Forces said.

The intensification of shelling is taking place against the background of the successful departure of two ships with wheat from the port of Chornomorsk and the arrival of the next three ships for loading. The Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine O. Kubrakov announced that three bulk carriers are heading to the ports of Pivdenny and Chornomorsk through the temporary corridor created by the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the ports of Pivdenny and Chornomorsk, which will be loaded with 127,000 tons of agricultural products and iron ore for China and Egypt already accumulated at the terminals and Spain.

The first two ships, "Resilient Africa" and "Aroyat", which used the humanitarian corridor of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, were loaded with grain in the port of Chornomorsk and have already successfully passed the Bosphorus. However, the intensification of the movement of vessels has not yet led to the resumption of acceptance and procurement on the terms of SRT in the ports of Pivdenny, Odesa and Chornomorsk.

According to the State Customs Service of Ukraine, in the 2023/24 fiscal year as of September 22, Ukraine exported 6.038 million tons of cereals and legumes, of which 1.451 million tons were already in September, while last year in this period 7.235 million tons were shipped, of which in September – 2.938 million tons.

In general, in 2023/24 MR, as of the indicated date, the following were exported:

• wheat – 2.916 million tons (891 thousand tons in September),
• barley - 596 (98) thousand tons,
• rye - 0.6 (0) thousand tons,
• corn - 2.506 (0.452) million tons.

In addition, during the specified period, 33,000 tons of flour were exported (of which 8,500 tons in September), including 32,100 tons of wheat flour (8,400 tons in September).