Ukraine Calls UN Session as Russia Targets Black Sea Ports, Halting Grain Exports

Shipowners have temporarily suspended vessel arrivals at Ukraine's Black Sea ports for agricultural exports following a recent surge in Russian attacks on ports and merchant shipping, according to Ukraine's agriculture minister. Ukraine has lost approximately one-third of its Black Sea export capacity due to Russian missile and drone attacks, traders and analysts report.

Ukraine's acting foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, stated that at least three civilian cargo ships have been attacked by Russia in recent days, leading to the suspension of vessel entries. He described the situation as "deliberate economic and humanitarian terror" and announced Ukraine's request for an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting. Moscow maintains it is targeting port infrastructure and vessels supporting the Ukrainian military.

A Russian missile strike on a ship carrying corn near Odesa on Sunday killed nine crew members from India and Syria, along with a Ukrainian maritime pilot. Russia recently introduced a temporary nighttime ban on vessel movements in and out of Novorossiysk port, its largest grain export hub.