A large convoy of ships carrying grain sailed from Odessa on Monday, despite Russia’s withdrawal from the UN-brokered deal – designed to avert a global hunger crisis – in retaliation for a drone attack on warships based in port of Sevastopol on the Black Sea. With Kyiv signaling its determination to continue the missions under the three-month deal, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned: “In circumstances where Russia is talking about the inability to guarantee the safety of shipping in these areas, as The deal is barely feasible and takes on a different character – much more risky, dangerous and without guarantee.” Peskov blamed Ukraine’s actions for disrupting the agreement. Kyiv accused Moscow of “blackmailing the world with hunger”. Peskov said Russian contact with Turkey and the UN was continuing, but declined to comment when asked what would have to happen, from Russia’s perspective, for the deal to resume. The agreement, which established a safe corridor through which ships could travel to Istanbul for inspections, had already allowed the export of more than 9 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain and was due to be renewed on 19 November. The Russian Defense Ministry characterized Moscow’s actions as a suspension of its participation in the agreement. Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied it was behind last week’s attack in Sevastopol, which Moscow said was caused by a swarm of sea and air drones, but said the Russian navy is a legitimate military target. At least 12 ships carrying grain left Ukrainian ports on Monday, including the Admiral de Ribas and Mount Baker, which left port days after Russia suspended its participation in a deal that allowed vital grain shipments to pass through the Black Sea. Russia’s withdrawal prompted an outcry from Ukraine, NATO, the EU and the US. Joe Biden on Saturday called Russia’s move “purely outrageous” and said it would increase hunger. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken accused Moscow of weaponizing food. On Monday morning, a spokesman for the Odessa military administration said 354,500 tonnes had been shipped from Ukrainian ports, the most moved in a single day since the grain deal was brokered. Ukraine shipped some of that volume – 345,000 tonnes – on 27 September. “Today 12 ships left Ukrainian ports,” Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov tweeted. “The Russian delegation has been informed.” Marine vessel tracking websites showed a number of cargo ships leaving Odessa and heading west. Separately, four other ships were freed to head to Ukrainian ports as they had already been inspected by representatives of the UN, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia, Kubrakov said. Also among the ships that left Ukraine on Monday was the Ikaria Angel, an Ethiopia-bound ship with 40,000 tons of grain, he said. “This is the 7th (vessel) chartered under @UN @WFP. This food was intended for the people of Ethiopia, who were facing the very real possibility of mass starvation,” he tweeted. Russian naval operations in the Black and Azov seas have been hampered by Ukrainian attacks that have sunk the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, Moskva, and reportedly damaged its replacement, Admiral Makarov. Despite Moscow’s warning to Kyiv, it was unclear whether the Kremlin would risk targeting civilian ships sailing under the auspices of a UN-run plan. However, Russia has struck port facilities in Odessa on several occasions, leading to fears it may escalate its attacks on the strategic southern coastal city. Another looming issue may be whether insurers are willing to provide coverage for grain shipments if Russia is not part of the deal. On Monday, Lloyd’s insurer Ascot said it had stopped writing cover for new shipments using the Ukrainian grain corridor until it had a better understanding of the situation. Expressing concerns over a possible Russian response, Amir M Abdulla, the UN coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative, tweeted on Monday: “Civilian cargo ships can never be a military target or held hostage. The food must flow.” News that Moscow was pulling out of the deal sent world wheat prices soaring by more than 5% on Monday morning.
