Ukraine said work has started at three ports aimed at forming “green corridors” to allow grain exports.
A spokesperson for the Odesa Military Administration, Serhiy Bratchuk, said naval teams will build routes out of Southern ports in Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi, adding that once the routes are established, “caravans” of ships led by Ukrainian naval vessels will sail through the Black Sea.
Kyiv and Moscow struck a deal to allow grain exports last week. Under the deal, which was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations (UN), Russia agreed not to target ports while grain was in transit, with Ukraine pledging to guide cargo ships through waters that have been mined.
However, the agreement was allegedly thrown into chaos in less than 24 hours after the deal was signed, as reports suggested that two Russian missiles targeted a port in the city of Odesa. But Russia said the attack targeted a Ukrainian naval ship docked in the harbour.
Comments by Ukrainian President
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the strike showed that Moscow cannot be trusted to stick to the deal and accused the country of “barbarism”.
On Wednesday (July 27, 2022) morning, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrei Rudenko, warned that the deal could collapse if obstacles to Russian agricultural exports are not removed, according to reports by a news agency.
Despite the uncertainty, Mr. Bratchuk said Ukraine intends to stick to the deal and pledged to carry out its obligations, despite the threat of Russian “aggression”. He said that military and civilian specialists will “carefully search for underwater objects, install special means of navigation equipment that will help the safety of navigation”.
What the Deal Entails
It came as Turkey’s Defence Minister, Hulusi Akar, opened a joint grain co-ordination centre in Istanbul. Staffed by Ukrainian and Russian officials, as well as Turkish and UN monitors, the centre will ensure the safe passage of Ukrainian vessels and inspect them for weapons as they enter and exit the Black Sea.
“The staff working at this centre are aware that the eyes of the world are upon them,” Mr. Akar told reporters. “It is our hope that the centre will make the greatest contribution possible to humanitarian needs and peace.” Mr. Akar added that around one-third of the world’s wheat supply comes from Ukraine and Russia.
About 20m tonnes of grain meant for export are trapped in Ukraine, and Mr. Zelenskyy warned this could rise to 75m tonnes after this year’s harvest.
Happenings in Other Parts of Ukraine
Elsewhere, intense fighting continued in Ukraine, as a southern counter-offensive launched by Kyiv continues to face stiff opposition.
Russian-installed officials in the occupied city of Kherson confirmed that a Ukrainian artillery strike has damaged the Antonivskiy Bridge, forcing its closure. Anton Gerashchenko, a Senior Adviser to Mr. Zelenskky, said the strike “dealt another powerful blow to one of the two bridges which are used by the invaders for a massive transfer of troops”.
Kyiv has been targeting the bridge in recent days in the hope of isolating Moscow’s troops. Sergiy Khlan, a Senior Ukrainian official, said the counter-offensive is achieving its goals and that the region will “definitely be liberated by September”. But the UK’s Defence Ministry said Ukraine likely suffered setbacks elsewhere.
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