Russia Continues Drone Attacks on Ukrainian Grain Silos and Ports
- IndiaGlitz, [Saturday,September 09 2023]
Russia has continued its drone attacks on Ukrainian food exports, targeting grain silos and infrastructure near the port of Izmail along the Danube River. The attack, which lasted three hours, resulted in two truck drivers being injured and several homes damaged by blast waves. While the Ukrainian military confirmed damage to agricultural facilities, specifics were not provided.
Since July, Vladimir Putin has been attempting to disrupt Ukrainian cereal exports, causing global grain prices to rise. This move has affected humanitarian supplies to areas at risk of famine. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄan's efforts to persuade Putin to return to the Black Sea grain initiative, previously brokered by the UN and Turkey, have failed.
Russia has primarily targeted Izmail, Ukraine's main port on the Danube, where grain is loaded onto ships bound for Europe. The recent attacks on grain facilities come as Russia criticized the US for supplying depleted uranium tank rounds to Ukraine, describing it as a criminal act.
Depleted uranium rounds are effective against armor but raise health concerns due to their radioactivity. Although they are not banned under international law, their use has generated controversy. The delivery of US depleted uranium weapons was announced during a visit to Ukraine by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Blinken's visit aimed to assess Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces. He acknowledged the challenges and slow progress of the counteroffensive but expressed confidence in Ukraine's determination to overcome Russian defenses.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in numerous challenges, including disruption to the country's food exports, humanitarian concerns, and the use of controversial weaponry. Despite these obstacles, Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty against Russian aggression.