Russian Strikes Ignite Food, Cripple Ukraine's Top Port

For a third consecutive day, Russian missiles and drones have targeted Ukraine's largest port, Odesa. The latest attack caused major damage to critical food supplies and infrastructure. A direct hit on the Pivdennyi port facility set fire to 30 containers of flour and vegetable oil. These were meant for export. The assault also knocked out electricity for approximately 120,000 people in the surrounding region. The intensified bombardment of Odesa's ports began after Moscow withdrew from a UN-backed grain deal. That agreement had allowed safe passage for Ukrainian agricultural exports via the Black Sea. Ukrainian officials state the repeated strikes are a deliberate attack on global food security. They accuse Russia of weaponizing hunger by destroying crops and blocking shipments. Moscow has claimed it only targets military infrastructure. The destruction comes as world wheat prices have risen sharply. Nations in Africa and the Middle East heavily depend on Ukrainian grain.