Three Major Russian Grain Terminals Halt Operations Following Ukrainian Attack

Three major grain terminals in the Russian port of Novorossiysk have suspended operations following a Ukrainian attack on August 12. The KSK grain terminal, operated by Delo Group, halted loading and unloading to ensure the safety of workers and infrastructure. This follows the closure of the Novorossiysk Bread Products Plant and the Novorossiysk Grain Terminal. Together, these three facilities have a combined capacity of 26.1 million tons, which typically accounts for more than half of Russian wheat exports.

Kyiv officials described the August 12 assault as a unique combined operation using drones, missiles, and autonomous sea boats. The attack damaged several Russian naval vessels and 60 residential buildings in Novorossiysk. Authorities in Krasnodar Krai reported that three people were killed, including an 8 year old child, and that drones also struck Gelendzhik.

Following these events, Ukraine has proposed a mutual halt to strikes on civilian targets in the Black Sea. This offer was relayed to Moscow through a third country. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that while Moscow has heard calls for moratoriums, it has not yet received any formal proposals. The proposal comes as both nations have warned that attacks on ports and shipping threaten global food supplies. Separately, Ukrainian cereal shipments have reportedly plummeted up to 75 percent in the first two weeks of August due to intensified attacks.