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Hours after signing a deal to allow Ukrainian grain exports from three Black Sea ports, Russia launched missiles at Odesa.
The landmark agreement reached Friday to release millions of tons of grain that have been piling up since the invasion, even as the attacks appeared to violate Russia's commitments as part of the deal, is still being implemented.
The loss of exports from one of the biggest wheat, corn and vegetable-oil suppliers has led to warnings of a global food crisis. The deal to facilitate safe shipment corridors was signed in a ceremony presided over by the Turkish president and the UN secretary-general. Even as the agreement was reached, analysts and western officials were skeptical.
The adviser to the head of the Odesa regional military administration said on Telegram that two Kalibr missiles were shot down by the air defense of Ukraine. A large amount of smoke could be seen across the city after the strikes.
The attacks were condemned by the US, European Union and UN and a spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Russia had broken its promise. Taras Kachka, the Ukrainian deputy economy minister, said that Friday's deal is still in place.
Everyone knows that any agreement has high risks. The risks that existed did not disappear as a result of today's shelling.
A person familiar with the matter said there were nine ships at Odesa sea port. A person who asked not to be identified said that the ships with grain were under the flags of several countries.
The Ukrainian economy has been devastated by the war and the government is under a lot of pressure to restart grain exports.
A copy of the agreement was posted on Facebook by the deputy chief of staff to the Ukrainian president.
Natalia Humeniuk said on TV that Russia did not hit grain storage at the port. Moscow assumed the obligations spelled out in the Istanbul agreement in a speech by the Russian Defense Minister on Friday night.
Russia must be held to account according to the US ambassador to Ukranian. The spokesman said that the UN secretary general condemns the strikes.
The safe movement of Ukrainian grain and related products to global markets was assured by all parties yesterday. The Russian federation, Turkey and Ukraine need to fully implement.
It took less than 24 hours for Russia to launch a missile attack on Odesa’s port, breaking its promises and undermining its commitments before the UN and Türkiye under the Istanbul agreement. In case of non-fulfillment, Russia will bear full responsibility for global food crisis.
— Oleg Nikolenko (@OlegNikolenko_) July 23, 2022
Today the Russians are hitting Odesa port, and yesterday the Ukrainians agreed to export grain by sea. A spokesman for the Ukrainian foreign ministry said the missile strike was "Vladimir Putin's spit into the face" of the UN Secretary General and the Turkish Prime Minister.
He called on Turkey and the UN to make sure that Russia sticks to its word.
Volodymyr Verbyany assisted with the task.
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