Russia rains missiles on Kyiv, different cities after pulling out of grain deal By Reuters

By Pavel Polityuk

KYIV (Reuters) – Blasts had been heard in Kyiv on Monday and Ukrainian authorities reported Russian missile strikes across the nation, after Moscow blamed Kyiv for an assault on its Black Sea fleet and pulled out of a deal to permit Ukrainian grain shipments.

Russia and Ukraine are each among the many world’s largest meals exporters, and a Russian blockade of Ukrainian grain shipments prompted a world meals disaster earlier this 12 months. Following Russia’s announcement that will halt cooperation with grain exports, Chicago wheat futures jumped greater than 5 p.c on Monday.[GRA/]

“One other batch of Russian missiles hits Ukraine’s vital infrastructure. As an alternative of combating on the battlefield, Russia fights civilians,” Ukrainian Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba mentioned.

“Don’t justify these assaults by calling them a ‘response’. Russia does this as a result of it nonetheless has the missiles and the need to kill Ukrainians.”

Overseas ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko mentioned missiles had hit vitality infrastructure in Kyiv and different cities, inflicting electrical energy and water outages.

“Russia will not be occupied with peace talks, nor in world meals safety. Putin’s solely aim is demise and destruction.”

There was no quick response from Moscow, which has accused Kyiv of attacking its Black Sea Fleet in a Crimean port with 16 drones on Saturday. Earlier this month, Russia launched the most important air strikes for the reason that begin of the warfare on Kyiv and different Ukrainian cities, in what it mentioned was a response to an assault on its bridge to Crimea.

Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied it was behind the assault on the Russian fleet, its typical coverage for incidents in Crimea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of “blacmailing the world with starvation” by pulling out of the meals export deal negotiated by the United Nations and Turkey.

Amongst vessels held up was one carrying tens of 1000’s of tonnes of wheat, chartered by the U.N. World Meals Programme for an emergency response within the Horn of Africa, Zelenskiy mentioned in an in a single day handle.

Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry mentioned a complete of 218 vessels had been “successfully blocked”.

The grain deal required Russia and Ukraine to coordinate inspections and transit of ships via the Black Sea with the United Nations and Turkey appearing as mediators.

No ships moved on Sunday. The United Nations mentioned it had agreed with Turkey and Ukraine on a transit plan for Monday for 16 ships to maneuver Black Sea grain – 12 outbound and 4 inbound. There was no quick response from Russia.

The United Nations mentioned Russian officers had been instructed concerning the plan, together with the intention to examine 40 outbound vessels on Monday, and famous that “all individuals coordinate with their respective navy and different related authorities to make sure the secure passage of economic vessels” below the deal.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday referred to as Russia’s transfer “purely outrageous” and mentioned it might improve hunger. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Moscow of weaponising meals.

On Sunday, Russia’s ambassador to Washington, snapped again, saying the U.S. response was “outrageous” and made false assertions about Moscow’s transfer.