MOSCOW SUSPENDS GRAIN SHIPMENTS DEAL AFTER FLEET ATTACKED

Russia yesterday suspended a UN-backed grain export deal which has seen more than nine million tons exported from Ukraine and brought down global food prices.

The Russian Defence Ministry cited an alleged Ukrainian drone attack against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet moored off the coast of occupied Crimea, which Russia says took place early yesterday, as the reason for the move. Ukraine has denied the attack.

The Russian declaration came one day after UN chief Antonio Guterres urged Russia and Ukraine to renew the deal. Guterres’ spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said: “It is vital that all parties refrain from any action that would imperil the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is a critical humanitarian effort that is clearly having a positive impact on access to food for millions of people.” He added that UN officials were in touch with Russian authorities over the announced suspension.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Kyiv has pleaded with the West to send blankets and heating generators to Ukraine before winter sets in. Vitali Klitschko warned that Ukrainians will freeze to death as temperatures drop to -20C if they do not receive urgent help after Russian attacks on the country’s power plants.

Russia has focused missile and drone strikes on power stations and the power grid. Kyiv’s power grid is operating in emergency mode and electricity supplies were down by as much as 50% compared with pre-war levels.

As further blackouts were announced, Klitschko said: “This winter will definitely be a huge challenge for us.”