Market News & Headlines >> Russian Attacks Cut into Ukraine Export Potential

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s port facilities and on ships since July have reduced Ukraine’s export potential by 40% and have destroyed nearly 300,000 metric tons of grain, Ukraine’s government said on Friday.

Since Russia pulled out of the United Nations-brokered Black Sea grain export deal in mid-July, Russian forces have hit six civilian ships and 150 port and grain facilities during 17 attacks, destroying crops headed for export, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said in a statement. "This is Russia's attempt to deepen the food crisis in the countries which depend on Ukrainian products," Kubrakov said.

Russia has attacked port facilities on both the Black Sea and Danube River. However, despite the attacks, Ukraine is mounting an increasing challenge to Russia’s attempt to prevent exports through the Black Sea. Kubrakov said 21 grain-loaded vessels have already used a new "humanitarian" corridor in the Black Sea that Kyiv established in August.