Escalating Black Sea attacks threaten shipping, grain exports
Escalating Russian and Ukrainian attacks on vessels and port infrastructure have raised risks to commercial shipping across the Black Sea, disrupting grain and energy routes and prompting warnings of further pressure on global food supplies in the autumn.
Russia has intensified missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s main Black Sea ports, including Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi, as well as vessels using the maritime corridor.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has expanded attacks on tankers and cargo ships it says support Russian military logistics and energy exports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Ukraine has lost about a third of its capacity to export grain through its Black Sea ports, with monthly handling capacity falling from around 6 million tons to 4 million tons, according to traders and agricultural groups.
