UK warns of global grain threat due to Russian strikes on Ukrainian ports
Photo: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (getty images)
The UK has warned that Russia's recent increase in attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure threatens food supplies from Gaza to countries in Southern Africa, according to Bloomberg.
British intelligence has identified a "noticeable increase in Russian risk appetite," resulting in damage to at least four merchant vessels during attacks on Black Sea ports between October 5 and October 14, the office of Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated late Tuesday.
According to the statement, this disruption has delayed a shipment of vegetable oil for the World Food Program in Gaza and impacted grain and corn supplies to Egypt and Southern Africa.
"Russia’s indiscriminate strikes on ports in the Black Sea underscore that Putin is willing to gamble on global food security in his attempts to force Ukraine into submission. In doing so, he is harming millions of vulnerable people across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East to try and gain the upper hand in his barbaric war," the Prime Minister emphasized.
Attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure
On October 9, Russian forces targeted the port infrastructure in the Odesa region, striking a civilian container ship flying the Panamanian flag. As a result, nine people died, and eight were injured.
On October 14, Russian troops attacked Odesa's port infrastructure with ballistic missiles, resulting in one fatality and eight injuries. Additionally, the Palau-flagged cargo ship “OPTIMA” was damaged for the second time.
Ukraine has appealed to the International Maritime Organization regarding the Russian strikes on the ports of Odesa.
