Russian missile strikes threaten long-awaited grain move, says Zelenskiy

Millions of tonnes of grain stuck in Ukraine ports are being prepared to be shipped out, though President Zelenskiy warns that Russian missile strikes could kibosh plans.

In June, the drinks business reported that millions of tonnes of grain were languishing in Ukraine ports due to a Black Sea blockade by invading force Russia.

More than 20 million tonnes of grain have been sitting in silos, unable to leave the country, for months.

In what will be good news for drinks producers clamouring for grain to make beer and spirits, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has revealed he is forging ahead with efforts to restart grain exports.

However, Zelenskiy warned that deliveries would suffer if a Russian missile strike that took place on Odesa’s port on Saturday was “a sign of more to come”.

While the missile attack did not hit the port’s grain storage area, it was a narrow miss. According to the Ukrainian military, two Kalibr missiles fired from Russian warships hit a pumping station at the port. Two more missiles were shot down by Ukraine air defence forces.

Zelenskiy said the attack showed that Russia could not be trusted to follow through on a deal struck just one day earlier – and hailed as a “diplomatic breakthrough” – to allow the grain to be moved. But added that he would not allow the ‘brutal’ show of force to waylay plans.

“We continue technical preparations for the launch of exports of agricultural products from our ports,” said Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.

Ukraine could theoretically export 60 million tonnes of grain over the next nine months, but if the port’s operations are disrupted by further attacks, this could take up to 24 months.

The war, which began on 24 February 2022 now enters its sixth month.