(ODESA, UKRAINE) – Ukrainian grain ships are continuing to depart from the port of Odesa despite the constant threat of Russian strikes, according to reports from the Ukrainian Navy.
The shipments come at the peak of harvest season as Ukraine seeks alternative export routes for its agricultural goods. However, naval officials warn that the Black Sea remains extremely dangerous for commercial vessels.
A TVP World correspondent joined the Ukrainian Navy on a mission aboard a fast combat boat provided by Sweden. The situation at sea remains tense, with Russian missiles and drones repeatedly targeting Odesa’s port infrastructure and commercial vessels.
“We’re currently at war and that makes it very dangerous,” a Ukrainian Navy captain said. “But we still do everything we can to ensure the safety of civilian shipping.”
During the mission, a commercial vessel carrying grain was observed heading into the Black Sea. Ukrainian Navy sailors confirmed that some shipping companies remain willing to take the enormous risk.
One Ukrainian sailor serving as a machine gunner identified jet powered drones as a significant new threat. “Right now jet powered drones as a machine gunner I can’t engage them effectively,” he said. “They’re very fast and at that speed you simply can’t shoot them down with a machine gun.”
Unexploded Russian ordnance in the Black Sea poses an additional danger to civilian ships, according to Ukrainian Navy divers.
Grain exports are vital for Ukraine’s economy and for food supplies to Africa and the Middle East. Ukraine is exploring alternative routes through Moldova and Romania, but these cannot replace the Black Sea route.
The shipments continue despite a devastating Russian attack on a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih on Friday, which killed at least 14 people and injured over 120. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of conducting a “double tap” strike targeting first responders who arrived at the scene.
“An absolutely cynical and despicable strike was carried out by the Russians against an ordinary shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih,” Zelenskyy said. “The attack drone struck in two waves. Half an hour after the first hit and the fire, there was a second strike targeting the emergency responders.”
The attack came one day after 17 people were killed in a Russian strike on Kyiv.
Meanwhile, NATO is conducting major air drills over Romania involving more than 20 aircraft, including early warning and control, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, fighter jets, helicopters and midair refuelling tankers. The drills have spread towards the alliance’s eastern periphery, with allied aircraft spotted in Romania some 180 kilometres from the border with Moldova.
The exercises come as Russian drone strikes inch closer towards countries bordering Ukraine, with a Ukrainian checkpoint on the Moldovan border hit for the second consecutive day.
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