Kremlin blockades grain ships

RUSSIA has blocked more than 200 ships from leaving Ukrainian ports – even though some are said to be carrying grain for countries on the verge of famine.

In a move yesterday condemned by the United Nations and the West, Moscow halted its role in the Black Sea grain deal, effectively cutting off shipments.

The switch came after Russia claimed Ukraine launched a ‘massive’ drone attack on its Black Sea fleet near Sevastopol in annexed Crimea on Saturday.

It said British navy specialists helped to co-ordinate the attack and Canadian navigation systems were used. However, the UK Ministry of Defence alleged that Russia was ‘peddling false claims of an epic scale’.

Ukraine yesterday claimed a ship containing grain for Ethiopia was among 218 vessels blocked, including 95 at sea and 22 loaded and stuck at ports.

Infrastructure minister Oleksandr Kubrakov tweeted: ‘These foodstuffs were intended for Ethiopians that are on the verge of famine. But due to the blockage of the grain corridor by Russia the export is impossible.’ US President Joe Biden branded the move ‘outrageous’.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said: ‘Why is it that a handful of people somewhere in the Kremlin can decide whether there will be food on the tables of people in Egypt or Bangladesh?’

Moscow claimed the drone attacks on its Crimea fleet had exploited the grain safe zone but Ukraine said the damage was caused by Russia mishandling its own weapons.

Brokered by the UN, the deal to unlock grain exports was signed by Russia and Ukraine and has since brought down food prices by 15 per cent from March.