Ukraine and EU lock in joint defense of Black Sea grain corridor
Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (Getty Images)
Ukraine and the EU have agreed on joint steps to protect the grain corridor in the Black Sea, which Russia is trying to disrupt. The parties also discussed enhancing air defense against Russian missiles, according to a post on X by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who held a phone call with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas on September 8.
The conversation took place immediately after a new wave of massive Russian strikes on Ukraine. Sybiha informed Kallas about the consequences of the attacks and emphasized that Ukraine urgently needs to strengthen its air defense, particularly against ballistic missiles.
The minister thanked her for the substantive discussion at the recent informal meeting of EU foreign ministers and called for translating these talks into concrete decisions that match the scale of the threat.
Separately, the ministers discussed Russia's attempts to disrupt the operation of Ukraine's maritime corridor. Sybiha emphasized that food security cannot be held hostage to Russian aggression, and Ukraine counts on the EU's support in ensuring the stable operation of the corridor and uninterrupted export deliveries.
Sybiha also insisted on tougher sanctions against Russia's ballistic missile production and the entire "ecosystem" that supports it. According to him, Russia must not think it can terrorize Ukrainian cities with impunity.
Ahead of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, the parties agreed on joint steps regarding food security. Sybiha stressed that Russia must be held accountable for every dimension of its aggression - from ballistic terror against cities to deliberate threats to global food security.
An enemy drone struck the premises of the "My-Ukraina" TV channel, which was broadcasting the "United News" marathon at the time. According to initial reports, five people were injured, but this number later increased.
As a result of the nighttime Russian strike on Kyiv, at least 14 apartment buildings were also damaged; in addition, a school, a polyclinic, a supermarket, and a gas station were hit. The capital's prosecutor's office has already opened a criminal proceeding for a war crime.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strike intentional - according to him, Russian units aimed to cause maximum casualties and destruction among the civilian population of the capital.
Kyiv police released footage - the first seconds after a Russian missile hit the city were captured on video.
The consequences of the massive nighttime attack across Kyiv are featured in RBC-Ukraine's photo report.
