Russia rains missiles on Kyiv, different cities after pulling out of grain deal

Blasts have been heard in Kyiv on Monday and Ukrainian authorities reported Russian missile strikes across the nation, after Moscow blamed Kyiv for an assault on its Black Sea fleet and pulled out of a deal to permit Ukrainian grain shipments.

Russia and Ukraine are each among the many world’s largest meals exporters, and a Russian blockade of Ukrainian grain shipments brought about a worldwide meals disaster earlier this 12 months. Following Russia’s announcement that might halt cooperation with grain exports, Chicago wheat futures jumped greater than 5 p.c on Monday.

“Another batch of Russian missiles hits Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Instead of fighting on the battlefield, Russia fights civilians,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba mentioned.

“Don’t justify these attacks by calling them a ‘response’. Russia does this because it still has the missiles and the will to kill Ukrainians.”

Foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko mentioned missiles had hit power infrastructure in Kyiv and different cities, inflicting electrical energy and water outages.

“Russia is not interested in peace talks, nor in global food security. Putin’s only goal is death and destruction.”

There was no fast response from Moscow, which has accused Kyiv of attacking its Black Sea Fleet in a Crimean port with 16 drones on Saturday. Earlier this month, Russia launched the largest air strikes for the reason that begin of the warfare on Kyiv and different Ukrainian cities, in what it mentioned was a response to an assault on its bridge to Crimea.

Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied it was behind the assault on the Russian fleet, its typical coverage for incidents in Crimea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of “blackmailing the world with hunger” by pulling out of the meals export deal negotiated by the United Nations and Turkey.

Among vessels held up was one carrying tens of 1000’s of tonnes of wheat, chartered by the U.N. World Food Programme for an emergency response within the Horn of Africa, Zelenskiy mentioned in an in a single day deal with.

Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry mentioned a complete of 218 vessels have been “effectively blocked”.

The grain deal required Russia and Ukraine to coordinate inspections and transit of ships by the Black Sea with the United Nations and Turkey appearing as mediators.

No ships moved on Sunday. The United Nations mentioned it had agreed with Turkey and Ukraine on a transit plan for Monday for 16 ships to maneuver Black Sea grain – 12 outbound and 4 inbound. There was no fast response from Russia.

The United Nations mentioned Russian officers had been advised in regards to the plan, together with the intention to examine 40 outbound vessels on Monday, and famous that “all participants coordinate with their respective military and other relevant authorities to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels” below the deal.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday referred to as Russia’s transfer “purely outrageous” and mentioned it might improve hunger. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Moscow of weaponising meals.

On Sunday, Russia’s ambassador to Washington, snapped again, saying the U.S. response was “outrageous” and made false assertions about Moscow’s transfer.