Ukraine has officially shut down all of its Black and Azov ports on the sea that Russian forces have taken the ministry of agriculture Ukrainian Agriculture Ministry announced the ministry on Monday.
The Azov Sea ports of Mariupol, Berdiansk and Skadovsk as well as Skadovsk, as well as the Black Sea port of Kherson were shut “until the restoration of control” according to the ministry in an announcement.
“The adoption of this measure is caused by the impossibility of servicing ships and passengers, carrying out cargo, transport and other related economic activities, ensuring the appropriate level of safety of navigation,” it stated.
All Ukrainian ports have ceased their activities due to the Russian incursion in late February. Russian forces seized certain ports and re-routed them to blockade.
Ukrainian Presidency Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned on Monday that Ukraine could lose tens or million of tons of grains because of Russia’s control over Black Sea shipping, triggering the food crisis that will be felt in Europe, Asia and Africa.
“Russia does not let ships come in or go out, it is controlling the Black Sea,” Zelenskiy spoke to the Australian news channel 60 Minutes.
“Russia wants to completely block our country’s economy.”
Russia declares its involvement in Ukraine an “special operation” to disarm Ukraine and shield its citizens from the fascists. Ukraine as well as the West believe that the claims of the fascists are unfounded as well as that war was not an unprovoked action of aggression.
Ukraine is a major agriculture producer was previously exporting the bulk of its produce via sea, but was required to move to exporting by train through its western border or through its smaller Danube port on the Danube river.
The ministry reported last week the grain exports to Ukraine been at 45.709 million tonnes during the 2021/22season of July and June.
It stated that the volume comprised the export of 763,000 tonnes during April, but did not provide comparable numbers. Agriculture officials from the top said in March that Ukraine exported more than 300,000 tonnes of grain during March.
