Following the Kremlin’s refusal to renew the deal which allowed ships to transport grain across the Black Sea, Russia has started targeting Ukraine’s key alternative export routes along the Danube River.
Since it started in August 2022, almost 33 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs have been exported via the Black Sea grain deal.
But with Ukraine’s Black Sea ports now effectively blockaded by Russia, experts say it will have to rely heavily on its ports along the Danube River to export grain into neighboring Romania.
From there it can be transported further afield as Romania’s ports remain open.
After repeatedly targeting export hubs on the Black Sea, Russia has now turned its missiles and drones on ports on the Danube.
One of Russia’s recent attacks hit the port of Reni, with missiles falling about 200m from the border with Nato-member Romania across the Danube.
In the Black Sea, the most extensive damage to port infrastructure was seen in Chornomorsk, where at least two storage tanks appear to have been hit on the night of 19 July.
Ukrainian authorities say that 60,000 tons of agricultural products were destroyed at the site.
The main grain terminal at Odesa port appears to have remained unscathed on satellite images we’ve analyzed.
There have been several recent attacks on the city of Odesa, but these other strikes don’t seem to have disrupted the grain trade.
Further south, in areas where Ukraine uses other export routes that bypass the Black Sea, the damage has been more extensive.
A total of 19 drone attacks on Danube ports were recorded on the night of 24 July, hitting Ukraine’s main alternative export routes, according to Lloyd’s List – a company that tracks global shipping markets.
Russia’s attack on Reni caused extensive damage.
From satellite imagery, we can see the strikes have hit several silos, hangars, and other buildings at the port.
The Zatoka bridge – a key link that allows grain trucks into the port of Izmail on the Danube – has also reportedly been hit.
REF: BBC
