Ukraine blames Russia for making grain exports ‘impossible’

KYIV, Ukraine — Russia’s blockade of grain exports makes it “impossible” for fully loaded ships to leave port, Ukraine charges after Moscow claimed drone attacks on its Crimea fleet had exploited the grain corridor safe zone.

Kyiv’s maritime grain exports were halted after Russia pulled out of a landmark agreement that allowed the vital shipments.

The July deal to unlock grain exports signed between Russia and Ukraine and brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, is critical to easing the global food crisis caused by the conflict.

“(A) bulk carrier loaded with 40 tons of grain was supposed to leave the Ukraine port today,” Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov tweets.

“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,” the Ukrainian minister says.

The agreement had already allowed more than nine million tons of Ukrainian grain to be exported, and was due to be renewed on November 19.