Russia strikes halt Ukraine Black Sea grain exports

Russia intensified missile and drone strikes on Ukraine's Black Sea port infrastructure in the Odesa region, targeting grain export logistics. On July 20, a missile strike on a corn-carrying ship killed 10 people, mostly foreigners. From June 20 to July 20, Russia struck 28 civilian vessels and killed 21 people, according to Odesa regional prosecutors. In response, shipowners halted vessel arrivals at Ukraine's Black Sea ports, suspending grain pickups. Ukraine's Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi confirmed the suspension, noting Ukraine did not impose restrictions. Ukraine has lost about a third of its grain export capacity via Black Sea ports due to the strikes. Russia claims it targets infrastructure supporting the Ukrainian military. Ukraine also increased attacks on vessels in the Sea of Azov and Black Sea to isolate Crimea and undermine Russian revenue. Russia imposed a temporary nighttime ban on vessel movements at Russia — Novorossiysk port, its largest by volume. Ukraine's acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the strikes deliberate economic and humanitarian terror and requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting for July 27. Vysotskyi urged producers not to rush sales and highlighted alternative export routes via Danube ports and railways.