Russia Has Lost the Ability to Export Grain Through Novorossiysk – Bloomberg
Following a series of attacks on port infrastructure, Russia can no longer ship grain through Novorossiysk. All three grain terminals at this key Black Sea port have ceased operations.
In addition, at least five ships involved in the transport of Russian grain were attacked near Novorossiysk and Tuapse.
Four grain carriers were attacked on August 18, and another on August 17. These are the first confirmed cases of attacks on ships serving Russian grain ports.
One of the damaged vessels was the dry cargo ship Victoria V, flying the Russian flag. It is capable of carrying up to 7,000 metric tons of grain and had arrived in Novorossiysk to load wheat.
The dry cargo ship Fehu, flying the Marshall Islands flag, was also attacked. The ship was struck after it left Novorossiysk with a cargo of wheat. Despite the damage sustained, the grain carrier was able to continue its voyage.
Another vessel attacked was the bulk carrier Elina B, flying the Maltese flag. It was loaded with approximately 56,000 metric tons of wheat in Novorossiysk. After the attack, the vessel continued on its way toward the Bosphorus.
Drones also attacked the grain carrier Necibe, flying the San Marino flag, in the port of Tuapse. The ship was scheduled to load approximately 20,000 metric tons of wheat there.
The fifth incident occurred on August 17. The dry cargo ship Anna S, flying the Liberian flag, was heading to Novorossiysk, where it was scheduled to load barley.
A fire broke out on board the vessel after it was struck by a drone. Due to the damage sustained, the Anna S was unable to continue its voyage.
This series of attacks occurred amid intensified strikes on Russian port infrastructure and growing risks to shipping in the Black Sea. An increasing number of shipowners are wary of calling at Russian ports due to the security situation.
Problems with Russia’s grain exports have arisen not only in Novorossiysk. Since July 10, drone attacks have completely halted grain shipments from Russian ports on the Sea of Azov. These ports account for about a quarter of Russia’s grain exports.
Last week, all three grain terminals at the deep-water port of Novorossiysk suspended operations following one of the largest attacks since the start of the full-scale war.
This was reported with reference to Bloomberg.
Russia attacked a grain elevator in the Sumy region; one person was injured.
In addition, Russian troops struck Zaporizhzhia with guided aerial bombs. According to preliminary reports, no one was injured in the attack.
On the afternoon of August 16, a Russian jet-powered drone attacked a post office located in a shopping center in the suburbs of Odesa. Two people were injured in the strike.
Later, Russian forces again attacked civilian infrastructure in the Odesa region. An enemy jet-powered drone struck a residential area, completely destroying two private homes and injuring three civilians.
