Putin's tactics threaten vital grain supplies amid escalating attacks
Russia has increased the intensity of its attacks on Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, causing delays in humanitarian aid deliveries for Palestinians and preventing the transport of key grain supplies to countries in the Global South, warned British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
8:16 AM EDT, October 23, 2024
A statement issued by Downing Street emphasized that British intelligence has obtained information about Russia's growing tendency to conduct indiscriminate attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure in the Black Sea.
The result of these attacks also includes damage to cargo ships carrying grain. Between October 5 and 14, at least four such ships were attacked and likely damaged.
Attacks coincide with the harvest season
It was noted that the increase in attacks coincides with the harvest season in Ukraine, which is one of the main suppliers of agricultural products critical for global food security.
It is believed that these attacks delayed the departure from Ukraine of the ship MV Shui Spirit, carrying vegetable oil for the World Food Programme intended for Palestine, and also damaged other ships, including those with grain shipments for Egypt, two ships carrying corn, and units with deliveries provided by the World Food Programme to southern Africa.
"Putin endangers global food security"
Russia's indiscriminate attacks on Black Sea ports underscore that Putin is willing to endanger global food security in an attempt to force Ukraine into submission. This harms millions of vulnerable people in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East as he seeks to gain an advantage in his barbaric war, stated Starmer.
In recent weeks, we have seen reports that the Kremlin has been forced to reach out to North Korea to supply soldiers to fuel its self-destructive war machine, which is an embarrassing and desperate act, and now it intensifies attacks on areas of Ukraine that support the Global South with much-needed food, he added.
