How Long Since Grain Export Agreement... Russian Missiles Strike Ukraine's Odesa Port (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 23rd (local time), the day after the four-party negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, the United Nations (UN), and T?rkiye (Turkey) to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea were concluded, Russian forces launched a missile attack on the infrastructure of Odesa, a major Ukrainian export port. This airstrike is expected to render all previously agreed procedures uncertain for the time being.

According to AP News and others, the Southern Operational Command of Ukraine stated on Telegram that "two Kalibr cruise missiles from the Russian military struck the infrastructure of Ukraine's port of Odesa," while the other two missiles were shot down by air defense systems.

Odesa regional lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko also reported via his Telegram that six explosions occurred around the Odesa port and that a fire broke out at the port. He added that Ukrainian air defenses intercepted several missiles and that fighter jets were engaged in aerial combat, urging residents to evacuate. Honcharenko criticized, "They (Russia) sign agreements with one hand and launch missiles with the other," and said, "Sinking the entire Russian Black Sea Fleet might be the best way to ensure grain exports."

The day before, Ukraine, Russia, the UN, and T?rkiye had finalized and signed a grain export agreement through the Black Sea aimed at resolving the global food crisis. The agreement was to establish safe corridors in the Black Sea and open export routes for Ukrainian grain as well as Russian grain and fertilizers. Due to the Russian military blockade of Black Sea ports, Ukraine, a major food exporter, had its grain export routes blocked, raising global concerns about food supply.

However, the missile strike on the infrastructure of Odesa, one of the grain export ports guaranteed safe passage the day after the dramatic agreement, has raised concerns that the grain export deal itself might collapse. There are doubts about whether the establishment of the joint coordination center among the four parties, scheduled to begin that day, will proceed smoothly. Nevertheless, some foreign media reported that the Ukrainian government has not suffered serious damage from this incident and is preparing to resume grain exports through the Black Sea ports.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the airstrike, saying it was like spitting in the face of the UN and T?rkiye, who mediated the negotiations. "It took less than 24 hours for the missile attack on Odesa port to break promises and weaken the agreement made in front of the UN and T?rkiye. If this is not implemented, Russia will bear full responsibility for the global food crisis," it stated. President Volodymyr Zelensky also emphasized in a video, "Russia will find ways not to implement the agreement," and added, "The aggressors can no longer deceive anyone."

Ant?nio Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN who participated in the agreement, issued a statement through his spokesperson on the same day, saying, "We clearly condemn (this airstrike)" and "Full commitment from Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey is essential to alleviate the suffering of millions of people worldwide facing food shortages."

Russia did not directly comment on the airstrike but denied involvement to the Turkish side, claiming the attack was unrelated to them. According to CNN, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that a Russian official he contacted stated, "This is unrelated to us. We are investigating this matter very thoroughly." Minister Akar added, "We are very concerned that such an incident occurred immediately after the agreement."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.