The Times view on Moscow’s export attacks: Against the Grain

A wave of Russian strikes destroyed some of the Ukraine’s critical grain export infrastructure in Odesa

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ussia’s bombardment of the grain and oil terminals in Odesa, its destruction of at least 60,000 tonnes of grain and its threat to sink any ship carrying Ukrainian food exports to markets in Africa and beyond should be added to the long list of Russian war crimes. Moscow called this “retribution” for the attack on the vital Kerch bridge linking Russia to Crimea. In fact it is a sign of desperation, a breach on an international agreement and a crime that will condemn millions of Africans dependent on Ukrainian grain to suffering and possible starvation.

Moscow has also threatened to attack any civilian ships in the Black Sea and laid additional mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports. This is a dangerous escalation of the