UN Official: Russia Has Caused Global Food Price Increases

Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated on Monday that Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea grain agreement and Moscow's attacks on Ukrainian grain facilities have driven food prices to 'the highest level' in many developing countries. In his speech at the Human Rights Council session in Geneva, he noted that rising prices have made 'the right to food inaccessible for many people.' He specifically referred to the situation in Somalia, stating that the country has long depended on wheat from Ukraine and Russia, and the failure of the grain agreement has harmed it. The Black Sea grain agreement allowed Ukrainian grain to be exported via the Black Sea. Russia withdrew from this agreement in July, complaining that a parallel agreement to remove barriers to the export of Russian food and fertilizers was not being honored. On Monday, the Ukrainian army reported that Ukrainian forces regained control of several offshore gas and oil drilling platforms near Crimea. In a Telegram message, the Ukrainian army stated that during this operation, Ukrainian special forces damaged a Russian Su-30 fighter jet and seized helicopter munitions and radar equipment on these platforms. Ukraine claims that Russia has occupied these platforms since 2015 and has used them for military purposes. Verification; Putin is lying about the reasons for exiting the grain agreement. Following Russian drone attacks on the port city of Odessa, three people were injured. UN agreement with Russia; reopening the 'SWIFT' system in exchange for grain exports. Meeting between the presidents of Turkey and Russia; Erdogan: Reviving the 'grain agreement' will soon be possible. Ukraine and Turkey say the Black Sea grain agreement must be resumed. Russia targeted Ukrainian grain silos in airstrikes.