Five vessels involved in Russian grain exports attacked near Russian ports since the start of the week

At least five vessels involved in grain shipments have been attacked near the Russian Black Sea ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse amid intensified Ukrainian strikes, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. These are the first confirmed attacks on grain vessels serving the affected Russian ports. Russia and Ukraine have recently stepped up strikes on commercial vessels and port infrastructure in the Black Sea, increasing risks to global grain supplies.

According to the sources, four vessels were hit on Tuesday morning and another on Monday. The Russian-flagged bulk carrier Victoria V, capable of carrying 7 thsd tons of grain, was attacked in Novorossiysk, where it was due to load wheat. The Marshall Islands-flagged Fehu was struck after leaving the same port with a cargo of wheat but was able to continue its voyage.

The Malta-flagged Elina B was hit after loading around 56 thsd tons of wheat in Novorossiysk and continued toward the Bosphorus. The San Marino-flagged bulker Necibe was attacked by drones at the port of Tuapse, where it was due to load around 20 thsd tons of wheat.

The fifth vessel, the Liberia-flagged Anna S, was heading to Novorossiysk to load barley when a drone strike caused a fire onboard, leaving it unable to continue its voyage. The managers of the affected vessels did not immediately respond to Bloomberg’s requests for comment.

The attacks come amid growing problems for Russian grain exports through the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. According to Bloomberg, drone attacks have completely halted shipments from Russia’s Azov Sea ports since July 10. These ports account for around a quarter of the country’s grain exports. Last week, three grain terminals at the deep-water port of Novorossiysk also suspended operations following one of the heaviest attacks since the start of the war.

Tags: Russia, export, grain, war