Key facts
- Grain shipments through the Sea of Azov resumed Oct. 28 after a three-month halt.
- Ukrainian drone attacks had prompted Russia to halt shipping on July 10.
- Over 100 Russian vessels were reportedly hit in the Azov Sea during the summer.
- At least one ship passed through the Kerch Strait to the Black Sea by Oct. 29.
Russia has resumed grain shipments through the Sea of Azov, media reports indicated on Oct. 28, following a more than three-month suspension. The halt was initiated on July 10 after Ukrainian drone attacks impacted Russian vessels and infrastructure. At least one ship had successfully transited the Kerch Strait to the Black Sea by Oct. 29. The Sea of Azov is a critical waterway for Russia, facilitating exports of grain, oil, and other goods. Ukraine's military campaign, Operation Molochka, launched in July, targeted Russia's shadow fleet in the Black and Azov seas, aiming to pressure Russian-occupied Crimea. Throughout July, dozens of Russian vessels supporting military logistics were reported struck. By August 8, Ukrainian drones had hit 218 Russian shadow fleet vessels, with 134 in the Sea of Azov and 84 in the Black Sea. Ukrainian strikes also impacted Russia's main Black Sea export terminals, leading to temporary suspensions at Novorossiysk. The resumption comes as Russia faces export infrastructure challenges, with Krasnodar Krai declaring a state of emergency in September due to export difficulties. Lithuania's Prime Minister had previously called for EU sanctions on Russian grain.