A series of Russian missile attacks along Ukraine’s Black Sea coast has resulted in the destruction of approximately 60,000 tonnes of grain and severe damage to storage infrastructure, according to officials.
Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister, Mykola Solskyi, revealed that a significant portion of the export infrastructure was now out of operation as a result of the attacks.
The conflict escalated further after Russia pulled out of an international grain deal, which had been in place since last summer, and guaranteed safe passage for grain exports across the Black Sea. The Kremlin cited non-compliance with their export demands as the reason for withdrawal.
Soon after Russia’s withdrawal from the grain deal on Monday, the country initiated missile strikes on the southern port cities of Odesa and Mykolaiv in the early hours of Tuesday. Subsequent attacks followed, targeting grain terminals and port infrastructure in Odesa and Chornomorsk, both of which were part of the export agreement.
Serhiy Bratchuk, a military spokesman from Odesa, described the attacks as a “truly massive attack.”
The use of Kalibr cruise missiles, Onyx supersonic missiles, Kh-22 anti-ship missiles, and kamikaze drones was observed during the coordinated attack, with launch points ranging from the Black Sea, Crimea, and southern Russia. Ukrainian officials reported that despite successfully shooting down 37 Russian missiles and drones, some missiles managed to penetrate Ukrainian defences.
Residents in the affected areas recounted the terrifying moments of the attacks, with one witness describing a “red flash” followed by panic and chaos.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the missile strikes, emphasizing that they not only impacted Ukraine but also jeopardized the pursuit of a normal and safe life worldwide.
As the situation escalated, the Russian-installed officials in Crimea evacuated around 2,200 residents from four villages near a military training range following a fire that caused several hours of explosions at an ammunition depot. Meanwhile, a section of the Tavrida motorway, which connects the cities of Simferopol and Sevastopol in southern Crimea to the Kerch Strait bridge, was shut down due to construction disruptions.
The cause of the fire near the city of Staryi Krim remains under investigation, but unconfirmed reports on social media suggest three Ukrainian strikes as a possible cause. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the incident.
The situation in the region remains tense and volatile, with both sides closely monitoring developments and concerns over further escalations mounting.
