Russia targets alternative routes for Ukrainian grain exports — ISW

Russian forces have likely changed their strike tactics in an attempt to disrupt Ukrainian grain exports. After targeting port infrastructure, they have begun striking alternative land routes used by Ukraine to export agricultural products, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Analysts highlighted a Russian strike on a bridge in the village of Mayaky on the M-15 Odesa–Reni highway, which connects southern Ukraine with Moldova and Romania. The attack took place on August 9. According to local media, the bridge was damaged, while Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service temporarily restricted traffic along this section of the road following the strike. However, later that evening, it was reported that traffic across the bridge had resumed.

ISW believes Russian forces deliberately targeted the bridge in an effort to disrupt an alternative overland corridor that Ukraine has been actively using after Russian strikes complicated maritime exports.

According to ISW, russia is likely shifting the focus of its strikes from the maritime grain corridor to land routes in an effort to deliberately hinder Ukrainian grain exports and weaken the Ukrainian economy more broadly.

The report also noted that on August 9, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara had proposed a moratorium on attacks against merchant vessels in the Black Sea. According to Fidan, the initiative has already been presented to Ukraine and russia, and Turkey is awaiting responses from both sides.

Tags: Ukraine, Danube ports