Russia attacks Ukraine grain port ahead of Putin-Erdogan talks

Ukraine has achieved a significant defensive feat by successfully intercepting and downing 17 drones over the Izmail port, a crucial grain-exporting facility situated on the Danube River. This achievement comes amidst heightened tensions in the region, as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prepared to engage in discussions regarding Ukrainian grain exports. The drone attack occurred mere hours before their scheduled meeting.

In response to the imminent threat, the Ukrainian Air Force issued an urgent call on Monday, urging residents in the vicinity of the Izmail port to take shelter. Subsequently, Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper confirmed that Ukrainian air defenses had indeed managed to shoot down 17 drones over the southern region. However, the victory did not come without a cost, as the attack inflicted significant damage to the port's vital infrastructure.

Kiper conveyed the extent of the damage through his Telegram channel, stating, "17 drones were shot down by our air defense forces. But, unfortunately, there are also hits. In several settlements of the Izmail district, warehouses and production buildings, agricultural machinery, and equipment of industrial enterprises were damaged." Fortunately, initial reports suggest that there were no casualties or injuries resulting from the attack.

This drone assault unfolded within the broader context of discussions between Presidents Putin and Erdogan. They convened in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi to address the issue of Ukrainian grain exports. The backdrop of these discussions is the Ukrainian grain export deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022. This agreement facilitated the export of nearly 33 million metric tonnes of grain and other commodities from three Ukrainian ports, despite the ongoing Russian invasion.

However, Russia's withdrawal from this agreement roughly six weeks ago cited obstacles to its food and fertilizer exports and expressed concerns about insufficient distribution of Ukrainian grain to countries in need. Subsequently, Russia launched a series of attacks on the ports along the Danube River, which have evolved into Ukraine's primary conduits for exporting grain.

While the full scale of Monday's drone attack is not immediately known, it followed a series of Russian attacks on the other major Danube port of Reni, which occurred on the preceding day. The attacks on Reni resulted in damage to the port's critical infrastructure and, regrettably, at least two individuals sustained injuries.

An aide to President Erdogan emphasized the pivotal role of the meeting between Presidents Putin and Erdogan in revitalizing the grain corridor. He underscored the significance of the situation, stating, "The current status [of the grain deal] will be discussed at the summit on Monday. We are cautious, but we hope to achieve success because this is a situation that affects the entire world."

Erdogan's consistent commitment to restoring the Black Sea deal and his close relationship with President Putin during the 18-month war have been notable. He refrained from joining Western sanctions against Russia and conveyed understanding of Putin's demands related to the grain deal.

Russia, for its part, has signaled a willingness to rejoin the Black Sea agreement provided its requirements for improving grain and fertilizer exports are met. These conditions include the reconnection of the Russian Agricultural Bank to the SWIFT international payments system, a move that the European Union terminated in June 2022. Simultaneously, the United Nations has intensified its efforts to resurrect the deal. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres forwarded "concrete proposals" aimed at facilitating Russian exports to global markets. However, Russian officials have expressed dissatisfaction with these efforts, characterizing them as a reiteration of previous UN ideas. The intricacies and challenges surrounding this grain export agreement underscore its critical significance within the broader geopolitical context of the conflict.