Russian strikes on ports put global food security at risk, UN says
Photo: Head of the UN Department of Political Affairs, Kayoko Goto (Getty Images)
The UN Security Council convened for an emergency meeting on July 27 due to Russian shelling of civilian vessels in the Black Sea. The situation has become critical, according to a statement by the Head of the UN Department of Political Affairs, Kayoko Goto.
UN Security Council discussed Russia's terror
According to her, the new wave of Russian attacks on Black Sea ports and commercial ships creates serious risks for global food security.
Goto noted that ports are being subjected to systematic strikes:
- Odesa,
- Chornomorsk,
- Pivdennyi,
- Izmail,
- Mykolaiv.
Over six attacks on civilian vessels were recorded in July, resulting in the deaths or injuries of 44 crew members, Goto stated.
Data from the UN Conference on Trade and Development indicate a 20% increase in global wheat prices in July. They reached their highest level since March 2024, she noted.
Russia is killing Ukrainian civilians
Since the beginning of July, over 170 civilians have died in Ukraine as a result of Russian airstrikes, and 1,028 have been injured.
According to her, the following came under attack:
- Residential buildings,
- Playgrounds,
- Gas stations,
- Markets,
- Logistics warehouses.
At the same time, Kyiv is under constant shelling: in July, at least 56 civilians were killed there, and another 232 were injured, Goto specified.
Goto also pointed to daily Russian attacks on frontline communities using guided aerial bombs in the following regions:
- Donetsk,
- Kharkiv,
- Sumy,
- Kherson,
- Dnipropetrovsk,
- Zaporizhzhia.
In total, according to Goto, since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, at least 16,141 civilian deaths have been confirmed, including 803 children, as well as 48,613 injuries, including 2,960 children.
What they propose
The UN representative called on the parties to resume diplomatic efforts.
"We urge all concerned to resume dialogue and inclusive negotiations aimed at de-escalation and securing an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire," said Goto.
This would be an important and necessary step towards a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in accordance with:
- The UN Charter,
- International law,
- Relevant resolutions.
\Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia is trying to turn the Black Sea into a zone of destabilization. The aggressor country is deliberately attacking civilian commercial vessels.
Ukrainian maritime exports have virtually come to a halt due to Russian attacks on port infrastructure and foreign commercial vessels.
