Russia attacks Ukraine's Odesa again... Second airstrike since grain export agreement

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ukrainian local authorities reported that Russia has once again bombed Odesa, a Black Sea grain export port in Ukraine. This is the second airstrike since the grain export resumption agreement was signed.

On the 26th (local time), according to the British Guardian, Serhiy Bratchuk, head of the Odesa military administration, stated via Telegram shortly after 6 a.m. local time that Russia "attacked Odesa again with missiles using strategic aircraft." Previously, less than 12 hours after agreeing to resume Black Sea grain exports, Russian forces bombed Odesa port with cruise missiles on the 23rd, drawing international condemnation.

With Russia previously hinting at the possibility of resuming airstrikes, military tensions at Odesa port have been heightened. According to TASS news agency, Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, visiting the Republic of the Congo in Africa, said at a press conference, "The grain export resumption agreement signed on the 22nd did not prohibit Russia's special military operations," and emphasized, "We have targeted only military objectives and can attack Ukrainian warships or anti-ship missile ammunition depots that pose a threat to the Russian fleet."

As a result, concerns are emerging that the resumption of exports from major Ukrainian ports preparing to restart grain shipments may become difficult. Previously, Russia, Ukraine, the United Nations, and T?rkiye agreed to establish a Joint Coordination Center (JCC) in Istanbul, attended by representatives from the four parties, to ensure safe navigation. The JCC is expected to be established by the 27th.

Ukrainian authorities are continuing preparations to resume grain exports. Earlier, Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine's Minister of Infrastructure, announced that exports would resume within this week. He stated, "Starting with the first shipment at Chornomorsk port on the 27th, exports will sequentially resume at Odesa port, Yuzhny port, and others within two weeks."

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