Ukraine: "Grain Warehouses Safe Despite Russian Odessa Airstrikes... Preparations for Export Resumption Continue"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Ukrainian government stated that despite the Russian airstrikes on Odesa, a major grain export port in the Black Sea, the grain warehouses remain unharmed and preparations to resume exports will continue.

On the 24th (local time), Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne reported, citing the Ukrainian military, that despite Russia's missile strikes on Odesa, the grain warehouses at the Odesa port suffered little damage, and preparations to resume grain exports are ongoing. Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine's Minister of Infrastructure, announced on Facebook, "Technical preparations to resume agricultural exports from our port are continuing."

Previously, the Russian military launched missile strikes on the infrastructure of Odesa port the day before, raising concerns that the resumption of Black Sea grain exports would become difficult. On the 22nd, Ukraine, Russia, the United Nations, and T?rkiye signed a final agreement through a four-party negotiation to resume Black Sea grain exports. However, Russia's airstrike on Odesa port just one day later drew severe condemnation from the negotiating parties and the international community, raising fears that the grain export agreement might collapse.

Oleh Ustenko, economic advisor to President Zelensky, said in an interview with local media, "Russia's attack on Odesa suggests that the agreement will not proceed as planned," and explained, "Ukraine can export 60 million tons of grain over the next nine months, but if port operations are disrupted, it could take up to 24 months."

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