Russia Targets Ukraine's Grain Silos with Airstrikes

Ukraine reports that Russia's nighttime airstrikes have damaged silos and warehouses in the city of Reni on the banks of the Danube River, a vital route for food exports during the war. According to Reuters, despite Moscow's threats to target Ukrainian ships in the Black Sea, a Ukrainian cargo ship departed from the port of Odessa on Wednesday, August 16. Russia withdrew from the UN-backed agreement for Ukrainian grain exports in late July and has since conducted numerous airstrikes on Ukrainian ports and grain silos. Moscow has threatened to consider any ship leaving Ukraine a potential military target. In this context, the Russian Navy issued a warning shot at a ship heading toward Ukraine on Sunday, August 13. Despite these threats, Ukraine announced last week the establishment of a 'humanitarian corridor' in the Black Sea for the free movement of cargo ships that have been trapped in its ports due to the Russian blockade. Alexander Kubrakov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, wrote on his Facebook page: 'The first ship has passed through the temporary corridor for commercial vessels in the port of Odessa.' The company 'Bernhard Schulte,' which, along with a Chinese bank, owns the ship 'Joseph Schulte,' confirmed that the ship is heading to Istanbul. Mr. Kubrakov added that the ship carries over 30,000 tons of cargo in more than 2,000 containers. According to Reuters, Moscow has not indicated whether it will respect this shipping corridor, and shipping and insurance sources have expressed concerns about the safety of this route. Ukraine is a major exporter of grains and oilseeds, and the UN states that its reserves are vital for developing countries that have increasing food concerns. Reuters reported that Alexander Kubrakov and the shipping company did not specify the cargo of the Joseph Schulte ship, but grains are rarely transported in containers. Attacks on farms and ships carrying Ukrainian grains have occurred following the start of Ukraine's counteroffensive, supported by the West, in mid-June to drive Russian forces out of occupied areas in southern and eastern Ukraine. Although the presence of fortifications and extensive minefields at the front has made it difficult for Ukrainian forces to advance, they announced on Wednesday that they had recaptured another village called 'Orozhain' from Russian forces. The Russian Defense Ministry did not confirm the loss of the settlement but stated that its artillery and warplanes are attacking Ukrainian forces in the Orozhain area.